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214
THE LAW-BRINGERS

Emmett, captain of the tug, was the first witness; a small, mean-looking man, terribly afraid of being personally implicated. He told how he had put Ducane, Robison, and Jennifer ashore at Quarte Fourches Channel, and how they had been taken up the stream by Indians. In about four hours Jennifer and Robison had come back, and inquiries for Ducane were met with the assertion that he would return with the Indians. Emmett had thought no more of the matter until Constable Hinds arrested Robison on the arrival of the tug at Chipewyan and asked concerning Ducane. Robison said that Ducane was coming back later. Emmett could not remember that Jennifer had said anything, either of denial or assent. Next morning Hinds went across to the Channel. But the Indians were gone, and it was only the cache in the bank which gave the first suggestion of foul play. Hinds could not follow the Indians up, for there was no one else at the Post.

Being asked where the other police were he told how Dick had taken Forsyth to Lobstick Island, and how it was rumoured that he had done so because he knew what Robison and Ducane intended to do. Cross-examined, he spoke of the well-known fact that Ducane was brutal to his wife and that Dick, Robison, and Slicker were almost the only visitors to the house across the Lake. Slicker was called to corroborate this, and in the hands of the direct ruddy-faced counsel for the prosecution he was forced to admit Dick's friendship with Jennifer, his dislike of Ducane, and Ducane's scarcely-concealed hatred and fear of Dick. He admitted that Jennifer felt her position as Ducane's wife very keenly, and that once, in a flash of temper, she had said that she hoped she would never be tempted to strike him. Under cross-examination he said that Jennifer had gone to Chipewyan against her wish, and at Ducane's expressed command. Her counsel asked:

"He was in the habit of making her do what she did not want, then?"

"I don't know. She seldom spoke of her own feelings. She was very good to him, and very patient with him always."

"Was she friendly with the breed, Robison?"