As soon as he opened his eyes, and was sufficiently recovered to answer me, I asked,—
‘What on earth made you discharge your gun, Dawson? I must take it out of your keeping, if your are so careless about using it.’
‘I didn’t fire, sir.’
‘Nonsense! you don’t know what you are talking about. I heard the shot distinctly as I came downstairs.’
‘I am only telling you the truth, sir. There is the fowling-piece in that corner. I have not drawn the trigger since you last loaded it.’
I went up and examined the weapon. What Dawson had said was correct. It had not been used.
‘Then who did fire?’ I said, impatiently. ‘I could swear to having heard the report.’
‘And so could I, sir. It was that that knocked me over.’
‘What do you mean?’