describing of the position of the body, the rifled
pockets, the dreadful blow from behind, the
number of hours since the deed was done—in
the midst of all this, steps were heard outside,
and George came into the midst of them.

Then a sudden hush succeeded to the Babel
of sounds, which he could not but have heard
as he crossed the threshold. There was
something ominous in that silence.

No need to ask if he knew. His face, pale
as death, haggard, streaming with perspiration,
proved all too plainly he was aware of the ghastly
horror. But his first words, low, and uttered half
unconsciously, were long after remembered:

"I WISH I'D BEEN FOUND DEAD IN THAT
WOOD 'STEAD OF GIBBS!"

Various circumstances arose, one after
another, that united to surround George with a
kind of network of suspicion. Simon Eade
sustained himself like a man, with a proud
confidence in the innocence of his boy, touching even
those who could not share it; and with a pious
trust that Providence would yet see that
innocence proved. But the poor feeble mother,
shaken by ill health, half crazed by the remembrance
of words and looks she would give the
world to forget, could do little but weep, and
utter broken supplications to Heaven.

George offered no resistance on his apprehension.
Sternly, but without eagerness, he
declared his innocence, and from that moment he
kept entire silence. His features worked
convulsively when he wrung his father's hand on
parting, and gazed on the pale face of his mother,
who had swooned away on seeing the police;
but he soon recovered his self-possession, and
accompanied the officers with a steady step, and
a fixed, though gloomy countenance.

The body of the deceased had been discovered
about ten A.M. by a farmer going to the Plashetts,
who had been attracted to the spot by the howls
of Gibbs's dog. The corpse lay among the
underwood, at a short distance from the footpath
leading from the stile so often mentioned,
through the wood to the Plashetts, and had
apparently been dragged that short distance.
Evidences of a fierce struggle were visible on
and around the footpath, and some blood also:
which appeared to have flowed from a wound in
the back of the head of the deceased, who must
have been struck from behind, by some heavy,
though not blunt, instrument. When found, he
had been dead, according to the medical testimony,
some eleven or twelve hours. The pockets
were turned inside out, and the watch and a
purse had been taken, as well as a seal ring.

Gibbs's two servants, James and Bridget
Williams, deposed that their master had quitted
his own house on the night of the murder, at
twenty minutes past eight, being unusually sober;
that he had set his watch, the last thing, by the
kitchen clock, and had observed that he should
go to the Dunstan Arms first, and afterwards to
the Plashetts. That his not returning that night
had occasioned no uneasiness, as he was in the
habit of frequently absenting himself until morning,
and had his latch-key always with him.

On the other hand, Simon Eade, his wife, and
servant girl, all deposed that George returned
home on the night of the murder, at nine o'clock,
having been out since tea-time; that there was
nothing unusual in either his manner or
appearance; that he supped, and afterwards
remained with his parents till ten, when the
whole family retired to bed; and that he came
down next morning in the sight of Jemima, who
had herself risen somewhat earlier than usual.

On his left wrist was found a recent cut,
which he stated had been caused by his clasp-knife
slipping, as he was cutting his bread and
cheese. In the same manner he sought to
account for certain marks of blood on the inside
of his coat sleeves and on his trousers. The
only article belonging to the deceased that was
found in his possession was a small lead pencil,
marked with the initials "G. G." and three
notches; these Job Brettle, the blacksmith, swore
Gibbs had handed him the pencil to cut, on the
afternoon of the murder. He (Brettle) noticed
both notches and initials at the time, and could
swear that the pencil in the prisoner's possession
was the pencil he had cut. George maintained
that he had picked it up on the common, and
that he had no idea to whom it belonged.

It came out in cross-examination that a more
desperate quarrel than ever, had taken place on
the morning of the murder, between Mr. and
Mrs. Gibbs; after which, she had been heard to
declare that she could support that life no longer,
and would apply for help to one who would not
refuse it. That she had sent a letter soon after
to George Eade, by the son of a neighbouring
cottager, and had gone out herself at night, a
few minutes after her husband, returning again
in a quarter of an hour, more or less, when she
had retired to her bedroom, and had not again
quitted it until news was brought next morning
of the discovery of the corpse.

When questioned by the coroner as to where
she had been overnight, no reply could be elicited
from her; but she fainted so frequently while
under examination, that her evidence was singularly
broken and incoherent.

George admitted having gone to the Southanger
Woods at about twenty minutes to eight
on the night of the murder; but he refused to
assign any special reason for going there,
declaring that he had not remained there more than
a quarter of an hour at most. He stated that, as
he was re-crossing the stile, he saw Gibbs and
his dog at a distance, making directly for it.
The moon shone almost as bright as day, and
he recognised him distinctly. To avoid meeting
him, he took the Dring road, and walked nearly
as far as the turnpike, when he turned about,
and so reached home at nine o'clock without
having met a soul.

The following were (briefly) the points in the
prisoner's favour:

1. The evidence of three credible witnesses
that he returned home at nine o'clock, and sat
down to supper without any appearance of hurry
or agitation.

2. The shortness of the time in which to commit
such a deed, and effectually to conceal the
property taken from the deceased.