"And you were carrying the gun?"
"Well, you see, I pushed it into a furze bush when he come along, for, as I told you, I had no gun licence."
"Did he speak to you?"
"Ay. He passed the time of day, and asked if I had any sport."
"And you saw no one else?"
"Nobody but the squire."
Later in the day Bilkins was sent for, and arrived at the vicarage much wondering what was in the wind. He wondered still more when he was ushered into the vicar's library, and found himself face to face with Budda, Mr. Tregonning, and Jim Brewer, in addition to the vicar. For several moments he looked from one to another with an expression of utter astonishment on his face.
"I have sent for you, Bilkins," said the vicar mildly, "in order to ask you one or two questions that seem of some importance at the present moment."
"Yes, sir," said Bilkins, looking, if possible, more puzzled than before.
"Can you recall the afternoon on which Sir John Hamblyn was shot?"