‘I cannot tell you whether he was or was not.’
‘Can you tell me this: Has Chunda been in the habit of always wearing European clothes since he came to Edinburgh?’
‘I don’t know that. You see, I only came into port with my vessel four weeks ago. When I first called at Corbie Hall, the fellow was wearing European clothes.’
‘Did you see much of Chunda on New Year’s Eve?’
‘He came into the room now and again. In fact, I think he was in and out pretty often. Balfour used occasionally to smoke an opium pipe, and Chunda always filled it for him.’
‘How was the native dressed that night?’
‘He had trousers and vest, and wore a sort of fancy Indian jacket.’
‘Was there gold embroidery on it?’
‘I believe there was a sort of gold thread, or something of that kind. But, really, I didn’t take much notice. We were all pretty jolly, and I didn’t look to see how anyone was dressed.’
‘But, still, you have no doubt that Chunda did wear a jacket or robe similar to that you describe?’