Page:Doctor Syn - A Smuggler Tale of the Romney Marsh.djvu/85

 "Aye, indeed, sir," replied young Jerk, "and let's hope as how it'll be the right 'un when they does."

"The right what?" asked Doctor Syn.

"The right rascal," said young Jerk, "for that ain't him."

"What do you know about it, my lad?" said the Doctor.

"The whole thing," replied Jerk, "for I seed the whole of the ugly business. I seed the man with the yellow face last night. I seed him a-comin' out of your front door with a weapon in his hand."

"You saw that?" cried the cleric, his eyes shining with excitement. "You could swear that in the Court House?"

"I could do it anywheres," replied Jerk, "let alone the Court House, and what's more, I could swear that he never killed Doctor Pepper."

"How can you possibly say such a thing?" said Doctor Syn.

"Because I seed the whole thing done, as I keep tellin' you," answered Jerk, "and it wasn't him as did it."

"How do you know?" asked the Doctor hastily. "Where were you?"

"Out on the Marsh," said Jerk, "all night."

"What!" ejaculated the vicar, looking at the boy doubtfully. "Are you speaking the truth, my lad?"

"The solemn truth," replied young Jerk.