father's
ill-treatment and neglect; and he commented upon Anthony's solitary
habits, and sullen uncommunicative disposition, as having been fostered
by these unfortunate circumstances.

His evidence was given in so frank and manly a way, and he seemed to
sympathize so deeply in his cousin's unfortunate position, that he
created quite a sensation among his listeners. No one imagined him to be
in any way implicated in the crime.

The statement of William Mathews corroborated all that had been advanced
by Godfrey Hurdlestone. He related his accidental meeting with Mr.
Anthony Hurdlestone on his way to the miser's cottage, but he omitted
the conversation that passed between them; only stating, that he
observed the muzzle of a pistol protruding from the pocket of the
prisoner--a circumstance which, knowing the peaceable habits of the
prisoner, astonished him at the time.

Long before Mathews had concluded his deposition, there remained not a
doubt on the minds of the jury that Anthony Hurdlestone was the
murderer. Even Captain Whitmore, who had greatly interested himself on
behalf of the young man, believed him guilty.

One witness still remained unheard, and Anthony still clung to hope;
still anxiously anticipated that the evidence of Frederic Wildegrave
would go far to save him. Alas! how great was his disappointment, when
the circumstances related by his friend were more conclusive of his
guilt than all the false statements that had been made by his enemies.
His own letter, too, which was read in court, alone would have condemned
him in the opinion of all unprejudiced men.

"October 10th, 1790.

"My Dear Frederic,

"I am certain that I have forfeited your good opinion, by omitting
to send you the money you left in my keeping: I have forfeited my
own. How shall I find words to tell you the dreadful truth, that
the money is no longer in my possession; that, in a moment of
excitement, I gave the deposit entrusted to my care to another?

"Yet listen to me for a few painful moments, before you condemn me
utterly. My cousin Godfrey came to me in great distress; he
implored me to save him from ruin, by obtaining for him a temporary
loan, for a few hours, of four hundred pounds, which he faithfully
promised to replace the following day. Hurried away by my feelings,
I imprudently granted his request, and gave him