As to how far either of these descriptions tallies with Slater, it may be stated here that the accused was thirty-seven years of age, that he was above the medium height, that his nose was not twisted, but was depressed at the end, as if it had at some time been broken, and finally that eight witnesses were called upon to prove that, on the date of the murder, the accused wore a short but noticeable moustache.
I have before me a verbatim stenographic report of the proceedings in New York and also in Edinburgh, furnished by the kindness of Shaughnessy & Co., solicitors, of Glasgow, who are still contending for the interests of their unfortunate client. I will here compare the terms of the identification in the two Courts:
Helen Lambie, New York, January 26th, 1909.
Q. “Do you see the man here you saw there?”
A. “One is very suspicious, if anything.”
Q. “Describe him.”
A. “The clothes he had on that night he hasn’t got on to-day—but his face I could not tell. I never saw his face.”
(Having described a peculiarity of walk, she was asked):
Q. “Is that man in the room?”
A. “Yes, he is, sir.”