human
The only question before us at the present time, Mr. Hamblin, is in regard to the authorship of the letter purporting to come from Monsieur Rogier, interposed Mr. Lowington.
gpt
Have you any new evidence to bring forward?
human
No, sir; I think the charge has been fully proved,
gpt
Captain Kendall, if you have any defence to make, I am ready to hear it,
human
I did not write the letter, and I had no knowledge whatever of it until Mr. Hamblin received it. Perhaps the writing resembles mine, but not very much. Will you let me take the letter, sir?
gpt
Of course he would disguise the handwriting,
human
The writing alone would not prove anything,
gpt
So far as the kind of paper is concerned, continued Paul, picking up the half quire which the professor had taken from his state-room,
human
I bought it in Antwerp for a particular purpose.
gpt
Are you quite sure you bought it in Antwerp?
human
I shall prove that I did, replied Paul, indignantly.
gpt
I wish to say I had a hint that the officers and crew were very much dissatisfied with Mr. Hamblin, and--
human
With me!
gpt
Allow Captain Kendall to make his statement, if you please,
human
But, Mr. Lowington, his statement is incorrect. I have been on the best of terms with the majority of my pupils. Only a few of the worst of them have manifested any ill-will towards me.
gpt
Go on, Captain Kendall,
human
I am prepared to prove all I say. If I had known that this investigation was to take place to-day, I should have asked for the attendance of several witnesses. I used all my influence to prevent any one from playing practical jokes upon Mr. Hamblin. I desire to have the first lieutenant of the Josephine, and Duncan, examined.
gpt
What have they to do with it?
human
After doing what I could to prevent others from annoying Mr. Hamblin by practical jokes, it is not likely that I should indulge in them myself.
gpt
That is a good point; and to-morrow the witnesses shall be called,
human
I will now ask Dr. Winstock to make his statement,
gpt
The letter is postmarked 'Anvers,' said the doctor, picking up the letter from the table.
human
It is utterly impossible that Captain Kendall had anything to do with this document.
gpt
Why so, sir?
human
This letter passed through the Antwerp post-office. If Captain Kendall had mailed it there, I should have seen him do it. He was not out of my sight a single moment from the time we left the Josephine till we returned to her. This paper, added the doctor, taking up the half quire,
gpt
Are you satisfied, Mr. Hamblin?
human
No, sir, I am not, replied the professor, decidedly.
gpt
I am by no means certain that the paper on which this letter was written was obtained in Antwerp. It does not follow because Dr. Winstock did not see Mr. Kendall mail this letter, that it was not mailed by him. I did not see him mail it; Mr. Lowington did not see him mail it. He could have sent it to the post-office by a dozen of his confederates.
human
Since Captain Kendall desires that the first lieutenant and Duncan should be heard, we will continue the examination till to-morrow,