human
But the murderer--who?--who? gave out Maud Duggan in a suddenly shrill voice, as a little silence held for a moment in that still room.
gpt
Tell us that, Mr. Deland, I implore you----
human
In good time, Miss Duggan. First of all, the ways and means. Look!--see that spinning wheel. There stands your guilty party in that innocent guise. The hand that guided that wheel killed Sir Andrew as surely as I am standing here. And how? An air-pistol. And who owns an air-pistol in this place but Mr. Ross Duggan?
gpt
It's a lie--a damned lie! And I'll have you to law for it, too! Ross Duggan started to his feet, face crimson, hands knotted, eyes flashing at this plain implication of himself.
human
Damn you, whoever you are!--it's a lie! I did not kill my father! I swear it upon the sacred book itself! I did not kill him!
gpt
And who, may I ask, said you did, my fiery young friend? he returned suavely.
human
If you will give me a little time to tell my story in my own way, I shall be extremely obliged. You stand self-confessed as the owner of an air-pistol. That we have proof of. The rest will follow in due course. But here is the instrument of death--this simple little spinning wheel, which, wired by electricity as it is, and with the pistol hidden inside that wheel with diabolical ingenuity, caused the death of your father. And who among you, may I ask, has such a perfect knowledge of electricity as to equip the thing like that?