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Page 9
_From the Diary of the Rev. Arthur Penn, D.D.,
Rector of Crossdale, Middlesex._
"When he came into the dock he looked (so it seemed to me) altered since
I had last seen him; more anxious and worn, that is, but yet composed
and dignified. Doubtless I am but a prejudiced witness; but his face to
me lacks both the confusion and the effrontery of guilt. He looks like
one pressed by a heavy affliction, but enduring it with fortitude. I
think his appearance affected and astonished many in the court. Those
who were prepared to see a hardened ruffian, or, at best, a cowering
criminal, must have been startled by the intellectual and noble style of
his beauty, the grace and dignity of his carriage, and the modest
simplicity of his behaviour. I am but a doting old man; for I think on
no evidence could I convict him in the face of those good eyes of his,
to which sorrow has given a wistful look that at times is terrible; as
if now and then the agony within showed its face at the windows of the
soul. Once only every trace of composure vanished--it was when sweet
Mistress Dorothy was called; then he looked simply mad. I wonder--but
no! no!--he did not commit this great crime,--not even in a fit of
insanity.
"Mr. A---- is a very able advocate, and, in his cross-examination of the
man Crosby and of Mistress Dorothy, did his best to atone for the cruel
law which keeps the prisoner's counsel at such disadvantage. The counsel
for the prosecution had pressed hard on my dear lady, especially in
reference to those farewell words overheard by her, which seem to give
the only (though that, I say, an incredible) clue to what remains the
standing mystery of the event--the missing hand. Then Mr. A---- rose to
cross-examine. He said--
"'During that part of the quarrel when you were present, did the
prisoner use any threats or suggestions of personal violence?'
"'No.'
"'In the fragment of conversation that you overheard at the last, did
you at the time understand the prisoner to be conveying taunts or
threats?'
"'No.'
"'How did you interpret the unaccountable anxiety on the prisoner's part
to shake hands with a man by whom he believed himself to be injured, and
with whom he was quarrelling!'
"'Mr. Manners' tone was such as one uses to a spoilt child. I believed
that he was determined to avoid a quarrel at any price, in deference to
my brother's infirmity and his own promise to me. He was very angry
before Edmund came in; but I believe that afterwards he was shocked and
sobered at the obviously irresponsible condition of my poor brother when
enraged. He had never seen him so before.'
"'Is it true that Mr. Manners' pocket-knife was in your possession at
the time of the murder?'
"'It is.'
"'Does your window look upon the "Honeysuckle Walk," where the prisoner
says that he spent the time between leaving your house and the finding
of the body?'
"'Yes.'
"'Was the prisoner likely to have any attractive associations connected
with it, in reference to yourself?'
"'We had often been there together before we were engaged. It was a
favourite walk of mine.'
"'Do you suppose that any one in this walk could hear cries proceeding
from the low gate?'
"'Certainly not.'
"The cross-examination of Crosby was as follows:--
"Mr. A.---- 'Were the prisoner's clothes much disordered, as if
he had been struggling?'
"'No; he looked much as usual; but he was covered with blood.'
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