Part 42 (1/2)
”He did.”
”And then you went east from that point over the mountain?”
”We did, and I am telling you we was looking for that mine we heard of.”
”All right,” said Sinclair. ”How long did you stay in that neighbourhood?”
”A week or so.”
”Did you see Mr. Macgregor or Perault while you were there?”
”That's none of your business.”
”You'd better answer, Carroll.”
”It'll be your business pretty blank soon!” drawled the voice again.
”Shut up!” said Ike. ”Give him a chance.”
”I think you'd better answer,” said Sinclair quietly. ”You've nothing to hide, I suppose?”
”I haven't,” said Carroll defiantly. ”We did see them two walking around, and we soon knew, too, that they didn't know any more than ourselves about that mine. Thin we came away.”
”Did you see their camp?”
”We did. We pa.s.sed it by.”
”Did you stop and speak to them?”
”No, we did not; for the good reason they weren't there.”
”Did you examine the camp or touch anything?”
”Nivir a touch, so help me G.o.d!” said Carroll, with great earnestness.
”Then did you and Crawley come away together?”
”We did.”
”Where did you camp that night?”
”Over the mountain beyant, forninst the Old Prospector's grave.”
”And you came straight home next day?”
”We did, except for a luk at a couple of prospects we knew of.”
”Oh! How long did that take you?”
”It tuk me about a day, and Crawley a little less, I'm thinkin'.”