human
What a chap you are! And so you had a regular fight with keepers, and nearly did for one; and all you said this morning was that the whole thing was a failure and a sell. And even when we talked about gamekeepers catching poachers, and the poachers resisting, you kept it all dark.
gpt
Why, it was a serious thing to talk about, you see,
human
Well, I think you might have trusted me at all events,
gpt
Trust you! My dear fellow I would trust you with my life, said Saurin.
human
But I thought it better to keep Marriner's attack on this keeper secret for your sake. There was sure to be a row, and in case of the inquiry coming in this direction, and your being questioned, it would be so much jollier for you to be able to say that you knew nothing about it. Whereas, if I had entered into all the details, it would have bothered you. For, to tell the truth, I feared the man was killed; now he is not hurt much, I don't care.
gpt
They would not have got anything out of me,
human
Perhaps not, replied Saurin.
gpt
But those lawyers are awful fellows when they get you into the witness-box, and make you say pretty nearly what they like. I had much rather have nothing to tell them myself if I were to be put in such a position, and I thought you would feel the same.
human
You are right, so I do, said Edwards.
gpt
What a fellow you are, Saurin, you think of everything!
human
It is different, now that they have got hold of that ass, Buller; what a joke it all is, isn't it?
gpt
Yes, replied Edwards, in a tone of hesitation, however, as if he did not quite see the humour of it.
human
Rather rough upon Buller, though, don't you think?
gpt
Not a bit of it; he has got off his flogging.
human
But suppose he comes in for something worse?
gpt
How should he? They cannot prove that he was in the coppice when he was about three miles in the opposite direction, you know. Now, if I were once suspected, they would find out that I constantly went to Slam's, who finds agents to sell the game for all the poachers round, and some of the keepers too, if the truth were known, and that I had been seen in Marriner's company; who is considered to make a regular income out of Lord Woodruff's pheasants, and they would have some grounds to go upon. But Buller is all right.