“Yes, sir, I was.”
“Can you tell me how far behind?”
“Well, as nearly as I can guess, it might be a hundred yards or more.”
“Oh, a hundred yards, and did you know there were ducks in the field into which he went?”
“Oh, yes, I’m quite sure of that, for I heard them quacking.”
“What! at that distance? They were making a great noise, then?”
“Yes, a very great noise.”
“And did you see the dog that was worrying them and causing them to make that noise?”
“I didn’t see any dog.”
“You didn’t, eh? Pray let me understand what you did see. When the prisoner went up to the gate, did you see the ducks?”