He strode into the justice-room, his eye flashing, his brow
haughty, his colour high. Never had gay Hamish looked so scornfully
indignant. He threw his glance round the crowded court in search of
Arthur, and it found him.
Their eyes met. A strange gaze it was, going out from the one to the
other; a gaze which the brothers had never in all their lives
exchanged. Arthur's spoke of shame all too palpably--he could not help
it in that bitter moment--shame for his brother. And Hamish shrank
under it. If ever one cowered visibly in this world, Hamish Channing
did then. A low, suppressed cry went up from Arthur's heart: whatever
fond, faint doubt may have lingered in his mind, it died out from that
moment.
Others noticed the significant look exchanged between them; but they,
not in the secret, saw only, on the part of Hamish, what they took for
vexation at his brother's position. It was suggested that it would save
time to take the evidence of Mr. Hamish Channing at once. Mr.
Galloway's might be received later.
"What evidence?" demanded Hamish, standing before the magistrates in a
cold, uncompromising manner, and speaking in a cold, uncompromising
tone. "I have none to give. I know nothing of the affair."
"Not much, we are aware; but what little you do know must be spoken,
Mr. Hamish Channing."
They did not swear him. These were only informal, preliminary
proceedings. Country courts of law are not always conducted according
to orthodox rules, nor was that of Helstonleigh.
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