“Was that suggestion acted upon?”
“No. Scarlett was willing to comply, but Zahn refused his offer.”
“Why did he refuse?”
“He was frightened to trust himself with the prisoner.”
“This is very important, Mr. Tomkinson. I must ask you to repeat the murdered man’s exact words when he refused to accompany the prisoner to the field.”
“I do not recollect his exact words. As nearly as I can remember, he said that he would rather run the risk of getting lost in the bush than be thrown over a precipice.”
“Did you know they had quarrelled previously?”
“I learnt so, at the time to which I refer.”
“Thank you, sir. Your evidence has proved to be valuable, very valuable indeed. I shall ask the witness no more questions, Your Honour.”
Scarlett’s counsel was contemplatively tapping his front teeth with his forefinger throughout this examination. He now rose, and informed the Judge that though he desired to ask the witness no questions at the present time, perhaps he might ask for him and the witness Amiria to be recalled at a later stage of the proceedings.