The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 221: what you’re looking at

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

WHO IS THE CULPRIT? 191 ‘Your worship, I appeal to you — ”’ began Arthur Eaton, his agitation increasing every moment. ‘‘ Sir, you must answer the learned gentleman’s questions,”’ responded the magistrate, with a curtness evincing the unfavourable impression already made upon his mind in respect to Eaton. “Then I at once and emphatically decline to explain any of the antecedents connected with the murdered Dudley,” said the young gentleman, suddenly recovering a composure and a firmness which might have arisen from a consummate hardihood as well as from those generous feelings which in reality prompted his conduct; but inasmuch as the true motives which swayed him at the time were totally unknown and of course unsuspected in that court, every one present looked upon him as displaying that dogged defiance and bold-fronted obstinacy with which the perpetrators of enor- mous crimes so frequently endeavour to arm themselves. ‘Remember, Mr. Eaton,” said the magistrate, leaning over his desk and speaking in a low but earnest tone to the young gentleman, “‘ remember, Mr. Eaton, the equivocal position in which you stand; and take notice that the fullest and most satisfactory explanation is required at the hands of every one situated as you now are.”’ ‘“‘'Let Mr. Sharply detail the grounds of those suspicions which he has dared to allege as existing against me,” ex- claimed Mr. Eaton, in a loud tone and with an air of superb - indignation, ‘‘ and I shall know how to answer him.”’ “But he has a right to question you, Mr. Eaton, on preliminary matters,’’ observed the magistrate. ‘‘ Then, in reference to William Dudley,” said the young gentleman, after a few moments’ profound reflection, “ I will state this much, that some short time ago I had reason, much reason, to be dissatisfied with him; but I pardoned him, and the influence of that forgiveness on my part pro- duced the most salutary results. Ina word, William Dudley became a man whom I would have trusted with untold gold; and the proof of my excellent opinion of him may be found in the fact that I had purposed and promised to place him at the head of the institution for which the building where he met his death is intended.” “IT must now question you upon another point, Mr. Katon,’’ said Counsellor Sharply, who was beginning to won- IS (C(O)