The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 263: what you’re looking at

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a TOY — OF ES Oo ee eee a ee rece eel rc A cy, ND Ee ee ne ee ee a ae. 254 Some weeks later I agam saw the Burker pay a visit ¢o the narrow alley; and an hour elapsed before he came out again. Subsequently Bill Soott repeated the visit three or four times; and I have not the slightest doubt that these visits had roforence to Mrs. Webber. I learnt iu the neigh- bearkood that she had lived for some years with her son-in-law and daughter; but so far from her having ever been on dad terms with them, or being rendered uncomfortable by Mr. Smedley, the con- trary wes supposed te be the case. A few days ago Baracy the Burker paid another visit to the alley; and on this ceeasion he remained at least two hours. Barly on the following morning «4 hackney-couch was fetehed by Smedley—a number of boxes were brought out—and Mre. Webber was ust on the point of stepping into the vehicle, when thought it at length time to interfere, in pur- suance. of a certain portion of my instructions from the gevitleman employing me. I accordingly hastened to the spot, and asked Mre. Webber where she was going. She looked confused and frightened ; but almost immediately recovered herself, saying that she was only bent upon a little excursion for change of sir. I glanced at the boxes, and saw that they were labelled, ‘ Ire. Suith, nasasnyer, Dover’ I asked her why she took a fuise name P She gave some evasive reply; butagain recovering her effrontery, demanded who I was. I told her thet I wae a deteetive officer, ahd gave her to understand that my mission was merely to prevent her from running away from her recognisances, and to enforce her attendarice at thie trial. She did not eoose te purdue her journey after re- Giving this intelligence; because I further stated - that if on arriving at Dover by the railway, she attempted to embark on board « vessel, I should at onee take her into custody. She remained at home for the few days whieh intervened until it was neceestry for Her to set off te come to Liver- pecl, Myself ard the other detective continued $6 witch the hous unceasingly after the affair of that intended j ; and in order thet Mrs. Webber might not give me the sip between Lon- don aud hiverpeol, I toole my place in the same carriage with herself.” Bane detective, whose eviderice had produced a considerable sensation in court, was now crose- emmnined by the counsel for the prosecution; and the following strieg of answers will show the nature‘ of the questions. put :— “TI. have been watching Mre. Webber for six months. F decline to say what is the name of the gentleman who employed me: bué this I will of my own avsord’ declare—that my conviction is he nevor was the protector of the er, ror ‘was improperly familiar-with her, but merely took: up her cass from motives of Humanity. It is true that he has paid all my expenses and has rewarded me hberally. It is-no-unusual thing for the de- teotives to be employed by private individuals; nor is-it unusual for them to be thus occupied so long a time. I know nothing, and did not mean to. infer anything, against the: character of the Smedieys. It is perfectly true that they sass in| ga their own netghvourhood’ ay le, ari that Smedley is' ar ative meniber of a re- liglous’ congregation: It ie likewise trie that Mrs. Webber is ponsidered'in the same neighbour. hood # respestadie-women.” THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. Here ended the cross-examiaation on the part of the prosecating counsel: and the barrister for Let- tice Rodney’s defence said to the detective, “ You must now go out of court and out of hearing: but I shall require your attendance again pre- sently.” The officer accordingly issued from the tribunal ; and the coansel for the defence then addressed the judge in the following manner :— “My lord, F am about to make an appfication of a somewhat extraordinary character. There is & witness whose evidence is of vital importance to the present case; buat it is impossible she can give that testimony personally and orally before this solemn tribunal. Indeed, I will at once admit that hdr intellects are in so weak 6 state that she would become bewildered and would inevitably break down. But she has been examined by two justicee-of.the-péace: namely, Sir William Stanley and Mr. Simon Bilis—both gentlemen of the highest respectability ; and this examination took place in the presence of two physicians well known for their ekill and experiencs with respect to the insane and in all psychological matters. The woman's deposition has been committed to paper: it is accompanied by attesting affidavits on the part of the two justices who received her evidence ; and there are likewise affidavits from the medical gentlemen, to the effect that the woman’s testi- mony is held by them to be perfectly credible. [ now request permission to introduce that deposi- tion as evidence. Its value can be tested by unmistakable means. If it should be found to constitute an indisputable link in the general chain of evidence, it stamps iteelf with trath: but if, on the other hand, it should be found irrelevant and unsupported by collateral facts; it can easily be discarded; and your lordship will direct the jury, as well as their own discrimination will telf them, whether or not they are to attach any im- portance thereto.” The counsel for the prosecution to the production of such evidence; and the judge him- self appeared to consider it inadmissible: bat the foreman of the jury expressed « hope that ima matter where a feilow-creature’s life was con- cerned, no objection would be raised apainst the production of the evidente alluded to. The judge accordingly ruled in favour of its production ; and the reader may conceive how breathious was the suspense which prevailed in the court—how deep was the anxiety of Lettice Rodney, who had re- mained in perfect ignorance of the nature of the defence: to be set up on her behalf—and how serious were growing the guilty Mrs. Webber's apprehensions. The counsel for the defence unfolded a docu- ‘ment which lay before him, and then spoke as follows :— “This deposition is to the effect that tlie female who made it, was in the town of Liverpool on the sarrie night that the murder was committed. She was wandering about, when her wayward steps led her up # narrow lane into which open the yard- tes belonging to that row of houses where Mr. Polierd dwelt. She heard one of these gates open and stiut; and with some feeling of cariosity which she cannot define, she remained at that gate. Vurces: were speaking immediately inside: they were ‘conversing in an undertone —but she listened, ee a _ _) [| () (COL DOO CS (COL