Then I asked another question.
"What time do you say it was that you saw me showing the false light?" I asked.
"Half-past eleven," was the reply.
"I should say that it was nearer twelve," replied another. "It was a most desperate affair, your worship. He throwed the lantern over the cliff and took to his heels. We followed a goodish bit afore we could catch un, and when we ded lay hould ov un he ded fight like a mazed dragon. It was as much as three ov us could do to maaster un."
Now this put another thought in my mind. I was in Pennington kitchen at the very time they said they were struggling with me, and I was about to say so, when I remembered what it would mean. If I told them where I was I should have most likely to mention Naomi Penryn's name, and that I did not like to do. Still I did not want to be sent to Bodmin Gaol without a struggle.
"You say you followed me some distance?" I said.
"Yes; we ded."
"How far before you caught me?"
"Nigh pon an hour."
"It was very dark that night."