The first inquiry in what is termed the Balham mystery was a mere sham. The second was carried on to a most unwarrantable length—with no good result.
And in the late Richmond murder the public had reason to deplore the license of advocacy, and the shouts of laughter proceeding from persons in the body of the court were a disgrace to a civilised community.
Upon the coroner and jury assembling at the “Carved Lion” no such unseemly merriment took place.
Everybody present conducted themselves in a becoming manner, and many were deeply affected, as the evidence was heard in almost breathless silence.
It was not of a nature to fix the guilt upon any one person in particular, nevertheless the facts went far towards pointing to one man as the guilty person.
But the links in the chain of evidence were detached. There was, however, good reason for supposing that they would be strengthened and be made more compact after further investigation.
The knife which the murderer had left behind was found, and was produced by the police on the inquest. In addition to this two human teeth were discovered at a short distance from where the body lay; one of these was broken short off, the other was perfect.
These were considered most important facts, as in the event of the suspected man being captured, the teeth might serve for the purpose of identification.
Brickett was the first witness called. He deposed to the facts already known to the reader. He said he was under the impression that the man washing his hands in the pool at Larch-green was Giles Chudley, but he would not undertake to swear that it was him.
Henry Adolphus gave his evidence in a very creditable manner. He explained the circumstance of his seeing a man running across the meadows. He appeared to be wounded, and from what he could make out the fugitive was bleeding from the nose or mouth, he could not tell which, as he was too far off. He was quite certain, however, that the man was hurt in some way.