I continued reading the rest of the long statement without interruption from Clancy. Even when I finished he made no comment, and I thought him depressed in spite of his smile, so I spoke up cheerfully.
“That’s the story, Michael. It all comes back clearly enough now, doesn’t it? There’s nothing like having these affidavits made out at the time, so one can recall all the facts. Now there’s very little more work to be done. You remember I had diagrams made of the room where you were working, so we have those, and the Doctor’s sent me word that he’s ready at any time. There were no other witnesses, you say? Well, then, let me hear you tell the story in your own way, without any prompting from me. Begin by describing the place. Now, go on.”
Clancy smiled contentedly, leaned forward in his chair and slowly rubbed his knees with the palms of his hands.
“Beyant th’ dure,” he began, “there do be a laarge room, with foive windows in ut, an’ a stairkase ter th’ left hand soide goin’ upstairs. In th’ cintre av this room they do hov two rows av stoof an’ th’ same is on shilves foreninst an’ behoind thim——”
The picture was not entirely clear, but I spoke up hopefully:
“Yes; and in this room you worked?”
“Oi niver did, Sorr.”
“Then describe the room where you did work,” I answered, wearily. “No other room is of any importance.”
“Will you leave me tell ut in my own way, Sorr?”