The other counsel in the case, after a long and successful career at the bar, where his wit and good humour made him beloved, and his learning respected by all who knew him, ended his days on the bench, his elevation to which was the proper recognition of an honourable and distinguished career.
The foregoing amusing case is included in legal cases under the title of “Twelve Tales of the Law.”
“Didn’t I tell ’ee that these lawyer chaps can mek anybody bleeve black’s white?” cried Brickett, when Mr. Slapperton concluded. “He meant prigging the duck, depend on that.”
“You’re a prejudiced man,” said Slapperton. “All’s fair in love, trade, war, and law.”
The company in the parlour of the “Shoulder of Mutton” had a longer sitting than usual, and they now began to break up. There was no end of shaking of hands, as by ones, twos, and threes, they took their departure.
CHAPTER LXVII.
REMOVAL OF A BATCH OF CONVICTS—PEACE TAKEN TO DARTMOOR.
The events we have been describing—the search after, the capture, and committal, of Giles Chudley—were unknown to Peace; indeed he was in entire ignorance of the murder of Mr. Jamblin.
Through the long weary hours of his imprisonment he was looking forward through the darkness which enshrouded him to the day of his liberation as to a bright and unsetting star.
Its clear white ray pierced the clouds which hung dark and heavy over him, and shed light and hope within him, for it told him that behind those clouds there was a light and a day which would yet dawn upon him, wherein he could work and redeem the past.