human
This mysterious car, he began,
gpt
I do,
human
What sort of green?
gpt
A bilious green.
human
Was it a light or dark green, sir?
gpt
Light.
human
Might it have been grey?
gpt
It might. It might have been a beautiful ruby pink. But it wasn't. It was just green.
human
You have sworn that it was an open car?
gpt
So it was.
human
And that there were two passengers?
gpt
So there were.
human
And that the one who was not driving was wearing a chauffeur's uniform?
gpt
So he was.
human
Listen. You saw its colour, you noticed its style, you swear to the number of passengers, and were actually able to observe how one of them was clad. How is it that you cannot speak to its number?
gpt
I will tell you. I was sitting----
human
On your oath, sir!
gpt
No, on the back seat. There was more than a ripple of laughter, and the Judge shot a quick glance at counsel before removing his _pince-nez_ and sitting back in his chair.
human
The heads and shoulders of Mrs. Pleydell and Captain Mansel, who were seated in front, obscured my view.
gpt
Wasn't it because the car was travelling too fast?
human
Certainly not. They saw it.
gpt
That is a matter of opinion.
human
It is a matter of fact,
gpt
It is easy to be rude, Major Pleydell.
human
I'll take your word for it.
gpt
My lord, I must ask your lordship----
human
I see no reason to interfere,
gpt
The truth is, he announced, as if byway or conclusion,
human
You know, he said, slowly shaking his head,
gpt
Never mind my health, sir,
human
Oh, but I do, said Berry.
gpt
If you were to burst or anything, I should be all upset, I should.
human
You consider your recollection clear?
gpt
As daylight. Let me explain----
human
Pray spare us. There was, I believe, a lot of dust.
gpt
There was.
human
Any amount of it?
gpt
Any amount. The road was thick with it.
human
And the air?
gpt
Any amount of that, too. For a windless day, I never----
human
No, no, _no_! Wasn't the air thick with dust?
gpt
After the car had gone by--yes. It swallowed up the dog completely.
human
The dog?
gpt
Perhaps, he stammered,
human
I shouldn't have....
gpt
This is most interesting. You say the dust swallowed the dog?
human
Yes, and the dog swallowed the dust. It was quite remarkable.
gpt
What dog are you referring to?
human
A Sealyham. When the car had gone by, he jumped out into the dust it had made and ran after it.
gpt
Why didn't you mention this dog before?
human
I didn't think it necessary.
gpt
Did you tell your solicitor about it?
human
Yes. He didn't think it necessary, either.
gpt
Really! You know, I thought we should get at something presently. Now, if the defendant didn't happen to own a Sealyham, this would be rather a valuable piece of evidence to show that it wasn't his car, wouldn't it?
human
I don't think so. You see----
gpt
Come, come, sir. Up to now nothing has been said of the offending car which could not be said with equal truth of the defendant's.
human
I cordially agree.
gpt
Both are green, both open, both, according to your story, bear the same number.
human
Unquestionably,
gpt
Wait. Supposing the defendant swears that he has never had a Sealyham or any other kind of terrier?
human
I don't know that I should believe him, but I shouldn't argue it. Perhaps he doesn't like dogs.
gpt
You'd accept his statement?
human
For what it was worth.
gpt
Exactly. And if he had no terrier, it's quite obvious that the car out of which the Sealyham jumped was not his, but somebody else's?
human
Undoubtedly, said Berry.
gpt
As a matter of fact, it was ours.