human
We didna find anybody in the cave.
gpt
That is strange, said Mr. Thomson.
human
Then you saw nothing of Ericson in the cave?
gpt
Nothing, sir, until I saw him in the Clasper's pinnace.
human
Of course we are to understand, observed Bailie Duke,
gpt
I first saw Ericson in the cave when, as I believe, he saved my life by knocking a pistol from Carver Kinlay's hand. I believe the lad was in there before the crew of the St. Magnus.
human
Then that is proof sufficient that Ericson was hiding,
gpt
Halcro! come forward, will you? said Mr. Duke,
human
Tell us, Ericson, said Bailie Duke, taking a pinch of snuff, and then bending forward with his elbows on the table,
gpt
Yes, Mr. Duke, I answered with directness,
human
I found Tom Kinlay. He was alone and asleep.
gpt
You descended the cliff without the aid of ropes, I believe?
human
Yes, sir.
gpt
Do you know any other lad in Pomona who could have done such a thing? Kinlay, there, for instance?
human
He might have done it, sir, but not in winter.
gpt
How, then, do you account for Kinlay getting into the cave?
human
I suppose, sir, that he had my ropes;
gpt
Now, further, do you recognize this gun?
human
Yes; it is mine.
gpt
When did you last use it?
human
Two days before I went away in the Falcon, more than two months since.
gpt
Have you ever had this curious stone in your possession, Kinlay?
human
Yes; I got it from my sister,
gpt
Ericson, asked Mr. Duke,
human
Jessie and I found it at the head of the Cliff, I said.
gpt
It was that which made me believe that Thora was in the cave. She got the stone from me before I went away, and I thought she had maybe dropped it as she was getting over the cliff.
human
But what on earth could the lass want in the cave?
gpt
She was unhappy at home, I explained,
human
Kinlay, said Mr. Duke, touching the coil of rope,
gpt
If you do not care to tell us that, then, perhaps, you will say if you happened to make use of this gun on the night on which Colin Lothian met his death?
human
Mr. Duke, exclaimed Bailie Thomson,
gpt
I'm driving at the truth, Mr. Thomson, said Bailie Duke calmly,
human
It is quite true,