human
Now, said he,
gpt
As I told you, Father had summoned us all there for the purpose of disinheriting Ross by crossing his name from his will, and in the presence of witnesses substituting another instead.
human
And whose name, may I ask?
gpt
Mine, Mr. Deland.
human
No. Upon that Father was adamant. He said justice must be done to the elder family--that is Ross and me, as you know--and he would see justice done. If Ross could not have the rightful inheritance because of his unfitness (poor Ross!) then it was to come to me, unless I saw fit to marry Captain Macdonald. In that event it all went to charity. Naturally, I protested with him.
gpt
Why?
human
Because, don't you see? I hoped he would perhaps relent and leave Ross's name where it was. The ignominy to the poor boy would have been so terrible--if he had struck his name out. Ross would never have got over it--never! He is so proud of his house, so wrapped up in it in every way.
gpt
And did your father manage to destroy the will then before it--happened?
human
No. He had it in his hands. I was wrestling with him, trying to get it away, and Paula had caught me by the shoulders and was endeavouring to get me away, too, when the lights suddenly went out, and--and came up again. And there he was in his chair--_dead_!
gpt
And you say that you heard the sound of the spinning wheel 'humming' in the darkness? You really did hear that, Miss Duggan?
human
Yes--I would swear to it on my oath.
gpt
And how then did your father die? By what means?
human
By a shot through his temple, I suppose (though he was stabbed as well)--although there was no noise, Mr. Deland, nothing to tell us that the awful thing was happening, save the failing of the current at that moment.
gpt
H'm. I see. A soundless pistol--in fact, an air-gun. Any one in the house got such a thing, do you know?
human
Not that I know of, unless ... but he gave his away long ago.
gpt
Who, may I ask?
human
Why--why--my brother Ross, Mr. Deland,