Part 66 (1/2)
”What house?”
”I was pa.s.sing along the street, when through the door of a public-house I saw the prisoner throw or kick Isaac Zahn into the street, and he fell on the pavement at my feet.”
”Can you remember the name of the public-house?”
”It was The Lucky Digger.”
The barrister sat down, and looked at the ceiling of the Court--he had finished his examination--and the Judge motioned the fair Rachel to stand down.
The next witness to be sworn was Amiria.
”Do you remember the 3rd of March last?” asked the Crown Prosecutor.
The brown eyes of the Maori girl flashed, and, drawing herself up with dignity, she said, ”Of course, I do. Why should I forget it?”
”What did you do on that day--where did you go?”
”I went for a ride, though I can't see how that can interest you?”
”Did you go alone?”
”No.”
”Who accompanied you?”
”Mr. Scarlett.”
”Indeed. Where did you ride to?”
”In the direction of Canvas Town.”
”Well, well. This is most important. Did you accompany the prisoner all the way?”
”No. We parted at the last ford before you come to the mountains, and I returned alone to Timber Town.”
”What time of day was that?”
”Between nine and ten in the morning.”
”And which way did the prisoner take after leaving you?”
”He crossed over the ford, and went towards Canvas Town.”
”Thank you.” Then the counsel for the Crown turned to the Judge. ”I have finished with the witness, Your Honour,” he said.
”But I have not finished,” cried Amiria, lifting her voice so that it rang through the Court. ”There were others on the road that day.”
”Ah!” said the Judge. ”I understand you desire to make a statement?”
”I desire to say that at the ford were four horrible-looking men.”