The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 220: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

190 THE COURT OF LONDON “It appeared, sir, by your statement of this morning,” said the learned gentleman, “ that from the courtyard of the building where the tragedy took place, four passages branch off; and you beheld your female figure dressed in black rush up the passage leading due north. Was it not so? ”’ “It was so,” answered Mr. Eaton, in a tone which ap- peared alike gloomy and impatient. ‘‘ And you heard another witness declare it was on the southern side of the buildings that the prisoner was stopped by himself and others? ” said Mr. Sharply, with an interrog- ative accentuation. “TI heard that point established in evidence,’”’ responded HKaton; ‘ and I once more proclaim that I shall be delighted to see the innocence of the young lady in the dock fully established.” “‘ Perhaps you will be gratified, sir,’”’ remarked the coun- sellor, drily and laconically. ‘‘ Now, sir,” he continued, ‘ will you be so kind as to state whether you were always on good terms with your valet, William Dudley.” “If there be any harm that I might say of the dead,” ex- claimed Arthur Eaton, indignantly, ‘‘I would sooner die myself than reveal it.” This answer produced a breathless amazement throughout the court, astonishing even Counsellor Sharply himself, who, in truth, had merely put one of those haphazard and random questions which barristers so frequently ask, and to which they are far from anticipating any important re- sult. ‘Then there is harm which you know and can proclaim in reference to the deceased William Dudley?” said the learned gentleman, fixing his keen, searching eyes upon the young gentleman, who was evidently much pained and agitated by the sudden turn which the proceedings were taking. ‘“‘ Come, sir, let us have a frank, honest, and straightforward answer, if you please,’”’ added Mr. Sharply, who was now looking so uncommonly knowing that all the spectators really fancied he had purposely entered upon this particular line of examination, instead of having fallen into it by one of those mere hazards which so often bring the most unexpected fish to the legal net which forensic artifice throws out. (C(O) MG 6)(0)©)