“Let the subject drop, I pray,” observed Mr. Kensett.
“By all means, sir. I am, I hope, the last man to court a legal wrangle. We have to deal with the evidence, and I submit that this is of a nature that, regarding it from a legal point of view, does not in any way bear against the prisoner, who, I maintain, is entitled to be discharged.”
“I should not be justified in dismissing the case after the evidence offered,” said Mr. Kensett.
“Evidence, sir,” cried Sharpthorne, “there is positively none.”
“I am not accustomed to allow gentlemen to direct me in the course I am to pursue,” observed the magistrate. “I admit the evidence is very weak at present, but there is no telling what may be forthcoming, provided the legal advisers for the prosecution have time afforded them for that purpose; and at the same time, Mr. Sharpthorne, I should be sorry indeed to prejudice the case, or to press badly on the prisoner who to all appearances is a quiet gentlemanly young man. Still at the same time I have a duty to perform. If the prisoner is innocent I hope and trust it will be proved on the next examination. Certainly, as far as I can see at present, there is not a great deal against him. Certainly not enough to send the case for a jury to decide. I think, therefore, under all the circumstances, I should be justified in remanding the case to this day week, and in the meantime I will let the prisoner out upon his own recognisances.”
“I hope you will require him to find good and substantial bail, sir,” said the solicitor for the prosecution.
The magistrate hesitated, whereupon Mr. Sharpthorne came to the rescue.
“The young man knows nobody in this neighbourhood, and it would be unjust to acceed to Hashby’s suggestion. I therefore beg of you to bind him over in his own recognisances.”
“Yes, that, I think, will be all that the exigency of the case requires, said Kensett.” The case is adjourned to this day week, and in the meantime our friend Hashby will have ample time afforded him to obtain whatever evidence he can to complete his case.”
“His own recognisances!” murmured the bank clerk. “What does that mean?”