human
Have you any objection to tell the Court where you were last evening between the hours of half-past ten and half-past eleven?
gpt
I was at home, sir. I've been ill, and have not put foot outside the door for four days till this afternoon.
human
Will you swear to that?
gpt
Of course I will, and my wife will tell you the same thing if you ask her.
human
Then if you were at home the whole of last evening, as you state, you could scarcely have failed to hear if anyone knocked at your door?
gpt
Of course I couldn't, sir; my house ain't like a gentleman's mansion. There's only four rooms in it altogether.
human
Mr. Brancker has just told us that he knocked at your door some time between ten and eleven last night--that he knocked repeatedly, but that nobody answered his summons.
gpt
There must be a mistake somewhere, said Strong, with a puzzled shake of his head.
human
All I know is that I was never out of the house, and that nobody could have knocked without my hearing them.
gpt
What time did you go to bed last night?
human
At twelve, to the minute--my general time. If I go to bed sooner than that I can't sleep.
gpt
Perhaps Mr. Brancker was mistaken in the house, suggested one of the jury,
human
Well, sir, I hardly see how that could happen, said Strong, with a slow, incredulous smile,
gpt
Do you mean to say, Strong, he cried,
human
I do mean to say so, Mr. Brancker, and what I say is the truth, if these are the last words I ever speak.
gpt
Why, I knocked half-a-dozen times if I knocked once. I was upwards of ten minutes at your door.
human
I can say no more than I've said already, was his answer.
gpt
I was never out of the house, and if anybody had knocked I must have heard 'em.
human
You may sit down for the present,
gpt
It is incredible, incredible!