“Now, gentlemen, this is one of the mysteries of the case.  No evidence has been adduced to show who set that fire.  Its suddenness and violence precludes the possibility of its having caught by accident.  It was set, but who set it?

“We are reduced to mere speculation here.  Was it any one connected with the Company?  No!  They had thousands of dollars’ worth of unprotected goods across the river; they were a mere handful, and the Indians three hundred.  It isn’t reasonable.

“Well, then, did any of the Indians set it?  Why should they?  It was their flour; they had receipted for it.  Lastly, did Ambrose Doane do it, or have it done?  Ah!  Let us look for possible motives.

“He was a trader, remember.  It had been so easy for him to secure the first lot; perhaps he wanted to sell them another lot.  The simple Indians, of course, would be persuaded that the incendiary came from across the river—­”

Mr. Denholm rose.  “I object,” he said.  “My eminent friend has no right to suggest such ideas to the jury.  There is no evidence—­”

Mr. Pascoe beamed upon his young opponent.  “Counsel overlooks the fact,” he said gently, “that I expressly stated this was mere speculation on my part.”

“Overruled,” murmured the judge.

Mr. Pascoe resumed:  “As to what followed there are several versions.  The prisoner says that he pleaded with the Indians, and tried to keep them from crossing the river.  Simon Grampierre corroborates this; but Grampierre, you must remember, is the prisoner’s self-confessed accomplice in the seizure of the flour-mill.

“Still, he may be telling the truth.  Grampierre was not with Doane all the time.  It is highly probable that the prisoner, seeking to impress Grampierre, pleaded with the Indians in his hearing.  The Indians couldn’t understand English, anyway.

“Watusk testified that he had a conversation with the prisoner during the fire, but the confusion was so great he cannot remember what was said.  This is very natural.

“Myengeen, Tatateecha, and the other Indians who testified said that the prisoner did harangue them, and that they understood from his gestures that he was urging them to cross the river and revenge themselves.

“All say it was from him that they first heard Gaviller’s name.  I don’t think we need look any further.

“Anyhow, the prisoner led the mob down to the beach where his york-boat was lying, and they all embarked in his boat.  He says he tried to keep them out, but he does not deny crossing with them.  Hardly likely they would take him as a passenger, is it, if he had fought them so strenuously?

“On what took place in John Gaviller’s house that night I will touch very briefly.  It was a ghastly night for the little company of defenders!  We have no eye-witness to the prisoner’s dastardly attack on Mr. Gaviller.  Mr. Strange, through the most praiseworthy motives, has refused to testify against him.