‘Stop! Give the lad fair play,’ said a new voice, and Joe Hanlon stepped from behind the door.
‘Why, what do you know about it?’ the colour-sergeant asked. ‘Isn’t the evidence as straight as it can be? He was all but taken in the act. The money, which is sworn to, is found in his pack.’
‘Aye, but who put it there?’
‘Himself, of course. Who else?’ It was Jubbock who spoke.
‘You did. I saw you.’
The shot told. Jubbock visibly quailed.
‘It’s a lie. I’ll swear I never touched the pack; I’m ready to take my dying oath—’
‘I saw you, man; I was there, behind the door, shaving, and you thought you was all alone’st in the room. I saw you go to Larkins’ bed, take the money out of your pocket, wrap it in a rag, and put it in Larkins’ pack.’
‘I didn’t, I swear.’