“Mr. Strange takes the ground that since he is obliged to act as interpreter in this case, no other being obtainable, it would be improper for him to give evidence.

“In the light of the prisoner’s impudent charge against Mr. Strange, the latter’s conduct is truly magnanimous.  The charge that Strange tried to murder his employer is simply laughable.  Twenty-nine years of faithful service give it the lie.

“A great point has been made by the defense that the prisoner had no motive in attempting to kill Mr. Gaviller.  Gentlemen, he had the same motive that has inspired every murder in history—­hate!

“There is any amount of testimony to show with what hatred the prisoner always spoke of Mr. Gaviller.  Gaviller was his business rival, his rich and successful rival.  Gaviller was the head and front of the powers that opposed his headstrong will.  I repeat, it is hate and opportunity that make a murder.

“Mr. Gaviller was prostrated with weakness.  How simple to creep up-stairs in the dark and finish what the other coward’s bullet had almost accomplished!  And how impossible to prove that it was a murder!  Mr. Gaviller’s vitality was so low that night, the doctor has testified, that he himself would not have suspected foul play if he had found him dead in the morning.

“When they arrested Doane in the house the gun they took from him was one that had been stolen from the Company store earlier in the night.  Remember that.

“At daylight the Indians came and made a demand on the defenders of the house for their leader, Ambrose Doane.  They threatened to burn the house down if he was not given up to them.  They welcomed him with extravagant expressions of joy.

“This is positive evidence, gentlemen.  Those in the house saw the prisoner give an order to bear away the dead bodies, and the order was obeyed.  Such little facts are highly significant.

“Watusk’s evidence makes the next link.  I do not attempt to justify this unfortunate man, gentlemen.  At least he is contrite, and throws himself on the mercy of the court.  Watusk says when they came back across the river the Indians were sorry for what they had done and terrified of punishment.

“Watusk urged them to return what they had stolen.  He had taken no part in the looting of the store.  But Ambrose Doane would have none of it.  He persuaded Watusk to give the order to break camp and fly back to the Kakisa River.  Doane promised the bewildered Indian that he would make good terms for the offenders with the police when they came.

“Doane’s contention that he was a prisoner among the Kakisas is unsupported.  Watusk and five other Indians have sworn that not only was he free to come and go as he chose, but that he directed their movements.

“As to the prisoner’s story of the Indian girl, ah—­a touching story, gentlemen!” Mr. Pascoe paused for a comfortable, silent little laugh.  He wiped his eyes.  “Almost worthy of one of our popular romancers!