Mr. Choate. "You knew at that time, did you not, that Laidlaw and Norcross were in the room? Why did you not tell them to step into your private room?"
Mr. Sage. "I will tell you very frankly it would have been almost certain death to six or seven men. There were three other men in that room with only board partitions between. It would have infuriated the stranger, and would have made him disregard me and drop the bag."
Mr. Choate. "Did you think of the danger that Laidlaw and Norcross were in?"
Mr. Sage. "No more than the other clerks. We were all alike."
Mr. Choate. "And the reason you did not tell them to go into the other room was that they would even then not be out of danger?"
Mr. Sage. "I thought it would displease Norcross, and show that I was trying to do something to head him off."
Mr. Choate. "And he would allow the bag to drop?"
Mr. Sage. "Yes, sir."
Mr. Choate. "And kill you?"
Mr. Sage. "Kill me and kill the whole of us."