I believe the lad was in there before
the crew of the St. Magnus."
"Then that is proof sufficient that Ericson was hiding," said Mr.
Thomson with an air of triumph.
"Halcro! come forward, will you?" said Mr. Duke, "and stand beside
Kinlay."
I did as he requested, and then I was required to take the oath as
Kinlay had taken it. Mr. Thomson looked satisfied.
"Tell us, Ericson," said Bailie Duke, taking a pinch of snuff, and
then bending forward with his elbows on the table, "tell us this:
When you bravely, and at the risk of breaking your neck, climbed
down the North Gaulton Cliff to render assistance, as you supposed,
to Thora Kinlay, did you find anyone in the cave?"
"Yes, Mr. Duke," I answered with directness, "I found Tom Kinlay.
He was alone and asleep."
"You descended the cliff without the aid of ropes, I believe?"
"Yes, sir."
"Do you know any other lad in Pomona who could have done such a
thing? Kinlay, there, for instance?"
"He might have done it, sir, but not in winter."
"How, then, do you account for Kinlay getting into the cave?"
"I suppose, sir, that he had my ropes;" and I pointed to the coil
of rope on the table.
"Now, further, do you recognize this gun?"
"Yes; it is mine."
"When did you last use it?"
"Two days before I went away in the Falcon, more than two months
since.
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