human
Ah, Halcro, my lad! he exclaimed in his breezy way,
gpt
I see they are making you comfortable here. I hope you find it no great hardship to be cooped up here, eh? It's hardly so bad as your experience on the Falcon, I should think?
human
No, sir, and I hope it will not last so long either,
gpt
Little fear o' that, said he.
human
Mr. Duke will send you home i' the morning; but it's as well you should stay here until the evidence is complete. Bailie Thomson will not agree to your being set at liberty before the inquiry.
gpt
And when is the inquiry to be?
human
At ten o'clock tomorrow morning, said Mr. Drever.
gpt
You see, Halcro, they're not to put you on your trial in any formal way. That could only take place at Kirkwall, or before the procurator fiscal. But the roads are all blocked wi' snow, and there's no getting to Kirkwall just now. Even the St. Magnus smugglers, and another gang that Mr. Fox arrested yestreen up at Sandwick, have to be imprisoned here until the roads are opened up. But it will be easy to prove your innocence. Thora will make that perfectly clear, as ye will see.
human
Thora! I exclaimed.
gpt
Then Thora has been found?
human
Found! certainly. She never was lost. However, ye'll hear all about that matter again. Just leave it all to me, Halcro, and dinna be downcast about biding here another night. But I must away now. Good e'en to ye!
gpt
Good e'en, sir!
human
Oh, Halcro! said he, as though suddenly remembering something,
gpt
Why, yes, Mr. Drever, I replied.
human
I found it at the head of the Gaulton Cliff on Saturday.
gpt
Just so, said he smiling,
human
I had heard that. Now that stone may be wanted in evidence. Would you mind letting me have it?
gpt
Here it is, sir,