Page:GB Lancaster--law-bringer.djvu/219

Rh the fact if a white man had passed up the Channel, and he thought it very possible that Ducane could have been killed and sunk in the Channel or buried in the swampy land round about without being found. He acknowledged that he had had men dragging the Channel ever since; but it was muddy and full of snags. Under cross-examination he had no reason to say that he suspected Dick of collusion. Dick had promised to get evidence from Mrs. Ducane, and had afterwards refused to give it. Dick had insisted on taking Mrs. Ducane back with him in order that she might supply information regarding the Company for which Ducane was supposed to be working. He had not heard that she had given any.

His evidence closed the day's inquiry; and Dick, who had never left the court, except to snatch a hasty lunch while Jennifer was away, caught Tempest's arm at the door.

"I must keep off," he said. "But go round to see her, Tempest. Tell her that it's going all right. And don't let anyone suggest Robison to her. Slicker, I want you."

Slicker turned wretched blue eyes on him.

"If she is condemned it's my doing," he said.

"Don't you flatter yourself. Twenty of you couldn't condemn her. This is only the beginning of the thing. My dear fellow, you wait until we get through."

He was kinder than Slicker had ever known him; and he insisted on the boy dining with him, and staying with him until Leigh came round and took him for a walk. And after that Dick went through his own evidence again, examining it in the light of to-day's showing, and readjusting wherever it seemed necessary. He was too busy to be anxious; too grimly set on his work to think of Jennifer.

The next morning dragged through with unimportant evidence: the breed who had seen Dick and Jennifer go out in the canoe; Grey Wolf residents who spoke of the state of affairs in Ducane's house; those who knew Dick and could say little good of him; those who knew Jennifer and could say little ill. After the lunch-hour Robison's name was called, and Dick said "Thank God," not because he believed in a God, but because there is no other form of relieved expression. But Robison was not avail-