“I should be sorry to prejudge the case; still, as I before observed, it looks ugly—that I readily admit. It is possible, however, that they may be able to produce some rebutting evidence on the trial, which will materially alter the complexion of the case. One never knows what may take place, for it has been often said that truth lies at the bottom of a well.”
When the dinner had been dispatched Peace called for the bill, which he insisted on paying, alleging, as an excuse, that he had invited the other two to dine with him.
They both protested against this, but Peace, who was in a liberal mood, would have his own way, and a compromise was therefore effected by the other two being allowed to pay for wine and cigars.
In the course of conversation Peace discovered that he was passing a pleasant hour or so with detectives.
He was a little disconcerted when he ascertained this, but there was now no help for it—so he put a bold face upon the matter, but was at the same time more guarded in his conversation.
Mr. Shearman, as heretofore, told one of his stories about his own exploits in America, and Mr. Cartridge, not to be outdone, narrated the following case of mistaken identity, which for the reader’s behoof, seeing that it is possessed of considerable interest, we print in extenso.
CHAPTER CXXIII.
MISTAKEN IDENTITY.
“I felt convinced,” said Mr. Cartridge, “that I had got the right man, for all the facts that had come to my knowledge were dead against him, but I am free to confess that there were others who were of a different opinion. I will just give you a circumstantial account view of the case.
“‘Send for his friends?’ I repeated, in reply to a question put to me by the inspector of a police-station at which I happened to be; ‘oh, yes. I see no reason to refuse his request, but I think you are fully justified in not admitting him to bail.’