“We have, as a rule, no such habit, but unless an artist or a policeman relies unconsciously on accidental circumstances—colour, hair on lip or chin, expression or peculiarity of some one feature—and should that by any accident disappear, he is utterly puzzled.
“One-tenth, at least, of Western mankind, is consciously or unconsciously, short-sighted, and never see in any true sense.
“Then a great number of persons are subject to sudden and sometimes erroneous impressions, and with country people especially, when once an idea enters their head, they are very reluctant to part with it.
“It would be out of place for me to cite cases of mistaken identity; that must be reserved for the trial, for it is quite clear that you intend to send the case for trial.”
“Unquestionably, Mr. Slapperton,” said the chairman. “We cannot do otherwise. There is abundance of evidence to warrant us in committing the prisoner, and, whatever your line of defence may be, you had better reserve it for a higher tribunal.”
“Enough, my lord, I will not pursue the question further. I do hope and trust, however, that whatever little ability I may possess will suffice to make manifest to the jury whose duty it is to try the prisoner that he is guiltless of the heinous crime with which he stands charged.”
The examination was at an end. The prisoner was committed on the charge of wilful murder, and the witnesses were bound over to appear at the ensuing sessions.
CHAPTER LXVI.
THE COMPANY AT THE “SHOULDER OF MUTTON” INN.
As we have already intimated it was market day, and as a natural consequence the court, the streets, and the public-houses were crowded to overflowing. The chief topic of conversation was, as a matter of course, the great murder case.