He concluded by saying, that he had every reason
to believe that the intended visit had taken place at the very time that
the murder was committed. He spoke of his cousin with much feeling, and
tried to excuse his conduct, as being the result of his father's
ill-treatment and neglect; and he commented upon Anthony's solitary
habits, and sullen uncommunicative disposition, as having been fostered
by these unfortunate circumstances.
His evidence was given in so frank and manly a way, and he seemed to
sympathize so deeply in his cousin's unfortunate position, that he
created quite a sensation among his listeners. No one imagined him to be
in any way implicated in the crime.
The statement of William Mathews corroborated all that had been advanced
by Godfrey Hurdlestone. He related his accidental meeting with Mr.
Anthony Hurdlestone on his way to the miser's cottage, but he omitted
the conversation that passed between them; only stating, that he
observed the muzzle of a pistol protruding from the pocket of the
prisoner--a circumstance which, knowing the peaceable habits of the
prisoner, astonished him at the time.
Long before Mathews had concluded his deposition, there remained not a
doubt on the minds of the jury that Anthony Hurdlestone was the
murderer. Even Captain Whitmore, who had greatly interested himself on
behalf of the young man, believed him guilty.
Pages:
364
365
366
367
368
369
370
371
372
373
374
375
376
377
378
379
380
381
382
383
384
385
386
387
388