Part 66 (2/2)
The Crown Prosecutor laughed. ”Yes, yes,” he said. ”You would tell the Court that there were others on the road besides yourself and the prisoner. What were the names of the men to whom you refer?”
”I don't know. How should I know their names?”
Again the Crown Prosecutor laughed. But Scarlett's counsel was on his feet in a moment.
”Would you recognise them, if you saw them again?” he asked.
”I think so,” answered the Maori girl.
”What should you say was their occupation?”
”I don't know, but they looked much more like murderers than Mr.
Scarlett did.”
”Look if you can see the men you speak of, in Court.”
The dark girl glanced at the sea of faces on the further side of the barrier.
”They may be here, but I can't see them,” she said.
”Just so. But do you see any persons like them?”
”In dress, yes. In face, no.”
”Very good, don't trouble yourself further. That will suffice.”
And Amiria was ushered from the Court.
”Call William Tomkin Tomkinson.”
The Bank Manager stood trembling in the box, all the timidity of his soul brought to the surface by the unusual situation in which he found himself.
”What quant.i.ty of gold do you suppose your agent, Mr. Zahn, was bringing to town when he was thus foully murdered?” asked the Crown Prosecutor.
”I really don't know the exact amount, but I should imagine it was between 15,000 and 20,000.”
”You know the prisoner?”
”I have met him in the way of business?”
”What was the nature of his business?”
”He came to ask the Bank to send an agent to the field for the purpose of buying gold.”
”And you told him you would send one?”
”I called Mr. Zahn into my room. I told him he would be sent to the field, and I suggested that the prisoner should conduct him to Canvas Town.”
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