"Now, Mr. Ebony, we will proceed with this examination."
"A-ba-ne-a, if you please, your honor," suggested the witness, with the politest of bows.
"I beg your pardon, Mr. Ebénier," said the justice, with a smile. "You placed the bag and the money in the locker—did you?"
"I did, your honor; in the captain's locker: but I didn't comprehend what was in the bag at the particular moment when it was in my possession."
"Exactly so."
"I was not precisely informed in regard to the nature of the contents of the bag, which was agglomerated in a mass, and exceedingly heavy for the bulk of the parcel, appearing to consist only of a portion of tow cloth."
"Just so, Mr. Ebénier; we are fortunate in being able to understand you."
"I beg your honor's pardon, but the initial E in my surname should be pronounced like long a."
"Excuse me, monsieur," laughed the justice; "but my French is rather rusty. Will you do me the favor to indicate in what manner the bag and its contents came into your possession."
"With pleasure, your honor. Yesterday afternoon, just previous to Captain Fairfield's going on shore——"