Mr Monk – you say the prisoner did not appear in drink? – I smelt neither meat nor drink in him, till he got in a rage about the keeper.
Oh, then, he did get in a rage? What did you think of all this? – I thought nothing about it till I heard the keeper was lost.
Then, if a man swears he don’t care for heaven or hell, you don’t think anything of it? – (No answer).
Why don’t you answer me? – I took no notice.
Yes, you appear to have a marvellous memory, but that was not what I ask. I ask you, did you believe he was in earnest? – He appeared to be so.
Did you believe he was in earnest? – Yes, I believed him.
You knew Simpson? – No, never saw him.
Did you not know there was a watcher at Staffield Hall? – Yes.
You went to put him on his guard? – No, I did not.
Why not? – (After a long pause) – I had another errand.
Or else you would have gone? – (Another pause) I had no occasion.
Was that errand the reason you did not give information? – Yes.
How long did it take you to go to your errand? – (Slowly) – Till about eleven.
Have you had anything to drink this morning? – No, sir.
Then your manner cannot be attributable to drink. What time did you go? – After my day’s work.
What time was that? – Between six and seven.
Where did you go to? – To Ainstable.
How far is that? – About a mile.
What did you go for? – To pay a bill.
For yourself or somebody else? – Myself.
Had it been long owing? – No: I had to go to a blacksmith’s.
What about? – A boring whistle. (Explained to be a boring iron).
You went for that? – Yes.
Where do you live? – Dale.
Near where you work? – Two miles off.
In what direction? – Partly south east.
What time did you get your errand done? – About eleven o’clock.
It took you five hours then. Had you nothing to drink? – No, not at a public house.
Then where were you staying? – I went home and waited for the miller.
That being so, I dare say you went to give some information next morning? – No I did not.
Now, you say you would have gone on the Saturday night if you had not had an errand. Why not in the morning? – I was very tired.
That was the reason, was it? – Yes.
His LORDSHIP – Collect yourself. Do you mean to say so? – Yes, my lord.
Mr MONK – Were you not rested before Sunday afternoon? – I heard tell of my mother being poorly.
Answer my question: were you not rested? - Yes.
If you had not heard your mother was poorly would you have gone? – Yes.
What time did you hear of your mother being poorly? – About four.
How soon did you go? – I was back at eight.
Why, did you not go then and give information? – I heard tell of his being lost.
Then you remembered distinctly what you heard the night before? – Yes.
You went to tell them, I have no doubt? – No, I did not.