The rest of the evidence for the Crown is virtually before the reader.
For the defence it was proved that the man was found drunk, with no money nor keys upon him, and that the knife was found under the wall, and the blood was traceable from the wall to the stable. Bradbury, who proved this, tried to get in about the wine; but this was stopped as irrelevant. "There is only one person under suspicion," said the Judge, rather sternly.
As counsel were not allowed in that day to make speeches to the jury, but only to examine and cross-examine and discuss points of law, Daniel Cox had to speak in his own defence.
"My lord," said he, "it was my double done it."
"Your what?" asked my lord, a little peevishly.
"My double. There's a rogue prowls about the 'Swan' at nights, which you couldn't tell him from me. (Laughter.) You needn't to laugh me to the gallows. I tell ye he have got a nose like mine." (Laughter.)
Clerk of Arraigns. Keep silence in the court, on pain of imprisonment.
"And he have got a waistcoat the very spit of mine, and a tumble-down hat such as I do wear. I saw him go by and let hisself into the 'Swan' with a key, and I told Sam Pott next morning."
Judge. Who is Sam Pott?
Culprit. Why, my stable-boy, to be sure.