At another time, when Mrs. Dyson was being questioned as to whether any struggle took place between her husband and the murderer, and replied in the negative, Peace, who had seemed comparatively quiet, shot his head up and made his lower jaw protrude in a loathsome manner, as he glared at the witness.
While Mrs. Dyson’s depositions before the coroner were being read the prisoner caused another scene. On being removed to his cell, at the end of the proceedings, his energy seemed quite to leave him; but when his counsel visited him in his cell shortly afterwards the prisoner seemed comparatively cheerful and careless, and gave his instructions and suggestions in quite a business-like fashion.
Only passages from the letters alleged to have been written by Mrs. Dyson were read aloud in court.
In spite of the policy of secrecy followed by the stipendiary and Chief Constable Jackson, a large crowd gathered at the Town Hall, and long before the usual time of opening the doors so great became the pressure against them as to burst them open, and the courts were rapidly filled.
The police were able, however, to clear them without any serious trouble.
People knew that the ordinary business of the Court would commence at eleven o’clock, and they settled down to wait as comfortably as possible for that time, knowing that they would then be able to gain admission.
When the doors were opened to the public, the two courts were soon filled again, and the people rested in expectation till authentic word came that the convict’s examination was well-nigh over.
Throughout the time there was greater excitement than at any period since the great Sheffield flood, but the police were able to preserve order.
Robinson, who captured Peace at Blackheath, after such a desperate struggle was in Sheffield, on a visit to some friends, and his frank and yet jovial bearing has impressed very favourably those who happened to meet him.
A suggestion was made that a public testimonial should be presented to him for his bravery, and, in spite of dulness of trade, was likely to be received with favour. Robinson had not seen Peace in Sheffield.