“The man, John Dunning, now lies in gaol, awaiting his trial. We would not say anything to forejudge the case, but it certainly looks black, so far, against the accused.”
To this the housekeeper added: “The Coroner’s Court was full, and a sorrowful sight it was to see the master, tall and handsome and upright, but ashy pale. On the same day, in the afternoon, they buried both the brother and the sister in the parish church. They lie side by side in the chancel.”
Then followed the report of the trial of John Dunning. Part of it is a repetition of the evidence heard at the inquest. He was defended by counsel, and a very able counsel, too—a young man who had taken the greatest pains to get up the case. Leonard knew the name. Later on he had become a judge. The cross-examination was keen and searching. Every little point was made the most of.
The Report gave at full length all the evidence and the speeches. In this place it is sufficient to give the most important questions and answers.
The counsel had a map of the wood. He made a great deal out of this map. He called attention to distances; for instance, it would take five minutes only to get from the wood to the farm. On these points he cross-examined Mr. Campaigne closely.
“ ‘I believe it is a small wood—little more than a coppice?’
“ ‘It is very little more than a coppice.’
“ ‘How long, now, would it take you to walk through the wood from end to end?’
“ ‘Not five minutes.’
“ ‘Are there any seats in the wood—any places where a man might sit down?’