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Page 70
While we were recovering from our surprise at this sudden turn of
affairs, Maitland was engaged in private conversation with the Judge,
with whom, he afterward told me, he had become well acquainted both
in his own cases and in those of other lawyers requiring his services
as an expert chemist. He never told me what passed between them, nor
the substance of any of the brief interviews which followed with the
prosecuting attorney, his associate counsel, and other legal
functionaries. All I know is that when the case was resumed M.
Latour's senior counsel, Jenkins, kept carefully in the background,
leaving the practical conduct of the case in Maitland's hands.
If a hazelnut had the shell of a cocoanut, its meat would, in my
opinion, sustain about the same relation to its bulk as the gist of
the usual legal proceeding sustains to the mass of verbiage in which
it is enshrouded. For this reason you will not expect me to give a
detailed account of this trial. I couldn't if I would, and I wouldn't
if I could. My knowledge of legal procedure is far from profound,
albeit I once began the study of law. My memories of Blackstone
are such as need prejudice no ambitious aspirant for legal honours.
I have a recollection that somewhere Blackstone says something
about eavesdropping,--I mean in its literal sense--something
about the drippings from A's roof falling on B's estate; but for
the life of me I couldn't tell what he says. More distinctly do
I remember this learned lawgiver stated that there could be no
doubt of the evidence of witchcraft, because the Bible was full
of it, and that witches should be punished with death. This made
an impression upon me, because it was an instance, rare to me then,
but common enough now, of how minds, otherwise exceptionally able,
may have a spot so encankered with creed, bigotry, and superstition
as to render their judgments respecting certain classes of phenomena
erroneous and illogical, puerile and ridiculous.
But to return to those points of the trial which I can remember,
and which I think of sufficient interest to put before you. These
refer chiefly to Maitland's examination of M. Latour, and of the
government's chief witness, M. Godin. Such portions of their
testimony as I shall put before you I shall quote exactly as it
was given and reported by Maitland's friend, Simonds.
When Maitland began for the defence he said:
"At about half-past seven on the night of the 22d of April, John
Darrow met his death at his home in Dorchester. He died in the
presence of his daughter, Messrs. Willard, Browne, Herne, and
myself. His death was caused by injecting a virulent poison into
his system through a slight incision in his neck. That wound the
prisoner before you confesses he himself inflicted. I would like
to know a little more definitely how he succeeded in doing it
without detection, in the presence, not only of his victim, but
of five other persons sitting close about him. M. Latour will
please take the stand."
As M. Latour stepped into the witness-box, a wave of suppressed
excitement ran all over the court-room. Every nerve was strained
to its tensest pitch, every ear eager for the slightest syllable
he might utter. What could be done for a man who had confessed,
and what would be the solution of the crime which had so long
defied the authorities? The explanation was now to be made and it
is no wonder that the excitement was intense.
I omit all uninteresting formalities.
Q. Have you ever seen me before to-day?
A. Not to my knowledge.
Q. Have you any reason to believe I have ever seen you before to-day?
A. None whatever--er--that is--unless on the night of the murder.
Q. Were you acquainted with John Darrow?
A. Yes.
Q. How long have you known him?
A. About six months--perhaps seven.
Q. What were your relations?
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