Page:Marsh--The seen and the unseen.djvu/45

Rh "Quite so! If what you say is correct, it is a curious thing. Mr. Paley, I think you might allow Mr. Dodsworth to make another trial. No harm will be done."

The governor gave his permission. Some days afterwards Mr. Dodsworth came into the office just as Mr. Paley had concluded his matutinal interviews with such of the prisoners as were "reported," and such others as desired "to see the governor." Dr. Livermore had also just entered the office to sign the report after making his rounds.

"Well, Mr. Dodsworth," inquired the governor, "and what is the result this time?"

"Before showing you the result, sir, I should like to ask a question or two." Mr. Dodsworth turned to Chief Warder Murray, who had been present, in his official capacity, during the governor's recent interviewing. "You were present, Mr. Murray, when I photographed the man George Solly?"

"I was."

"And you also, Slater?" Mr. Dodsworth turned to Warder Slater, who had entered with him. Warder Slater allowed that he was.

"Mr. Murray, where was Solly sitting when I photographed him?"

"He was sitting where the men always do sit—perhaps twenty feet from the wall"

"Was there anything behind him—I mean, any person, or any object of any kind?"

"There was nothing."

"Could there have been anything behind him without your having been aware of the fact?"

"Certainly not. It was a sunny day, half-past two