“Was his face in shadow?”
“I dunno that it wur; I know’d it wur the face o’ Giles Chudley—of that I be sartin sure—and his mouth wur a-bleedin’.”
Slapperton felt that it would be worse for him—so ceased all further questioning; and he therefore said in a tone of affected satisfaction—
“That will do; I am quite satisfied—have no further questions to ask.”
The little girl left the box.
The divisional surgeon was called. His evidence was to the effect that he had examined the prisoner’s mouth—the front teeth (incisors) were missing; and the two teeth picked up by the police in Larchgrove-lane corresponded in size, structure, and colour to the others in the prisoner’s jaw.
Mr. Slapperton affected to treat this circumstance as of quite minor importance. He said that there were very few persons who had not shed some of their teeth, and it was quite impossible for the most skilled surgeon or dentist to say positively that those found belonged to the prisoner.
The magistrates, however, appeared to be of a different opinion, and a long discussion ensued between them and the prisoner’s advocate.
Both agreed, however, that it would be a question for a jury to decide.
There was a prima facie case made out, and further adjournment was, therefore, deemed unnecessary.