“Well, then,” replied Peace, “I assure you, sir, that the impression is wrong. Supposing I have taken rings, containing diamonds or other brilliants, directly I have got them in my possession I have taken the gems from the gold, and then no one can swear to them in any court of justice.
“I always did that quickly. I sometimes did it on the night I got possession of the plunder, and before I went to bed. Then I had a crucible in which I melted down the gold and silver into small ingots, and disposed of them by simple weight.”
No. 96.
MEMORIALS OF THE WHALLEY RANGE MURDER, DRAWN BY PEACE IN PRISON.
“Well, but, Peace,” said Mr. Littlewood, “it seems to me your reply is not a sufficient reason for refusing to give up the names of the receivers of stolen property. If you would do so it would raise you considerably in the estimation of all respectable citizens, and confer an incalculable boon upon this country.”
Peace made no response, and Mr. Littlewood continued: “You know, what you say about diamonds and gold and silver may be all true. I don’t dispute with you on that point, but you could not melt down sealskin jackets and things of that kind.”
Peace still refused to make any response, and the subject eventually had to be dropped, as he seemed determined on the point.
[The reason Peace did not give the names may be stated here. His property was believed to be in the hands of receivers, and the law of felon’s property is now altered. At one time when a felon was hanged all his property was forfeited to the Crown. The law has since taken a more merciful view of the convict’s family, and permits the felon to will his property as he pleases. Of course there will no doubt be certain restrictions in the event of the property being identified as the proceeds of burglaries, but a person of Peace’s habits would take care that his most valuable property was promptly realised and placed where it could be obtained. It is therefore more than probable that the reason we have stated is the correct explanation—that in the event of his disclosing the names of the receivers they would have cleared out and carried away all the booty, so that the family whom Peace seems disposed to benefit at the last would have received nothing.]
Passing from this subject Peace said to Mr. Littlewood, “Now, sir, may I ask you a favour?”