"O never! for, lang afore that, I could not have kenn'd whether he was sitting or standing."
"Were you present at the corpse-chesting?"
"Yes, I was."
"And were you certain the body was then deposited in the coffin?"
"Yes; quite certain."
"Did you screw down the coffin-lid firmly then, as you do others of the same make?"
"No, I did not."
"What were your reasons for that?"
"They were no reasons of mine—I did what I was ordered. There were private reasons, which I then wist not of. But, gentlemen, there are some things connected with this affair, which I am bound in honour not to reveal—I hope you will not compel me to divulge them at present."
"You are bound by a solemn oath, James, which is the highest of all obligations; and for the sake of justice, you must tell every thing you know; and it would be better if you would just tell your tale straight forward, without the interruption of question and answer."