and then proceeded to the question. I saw, with an agony which I can
scarcely express, that all my answers made powerfully against the cause
I endeavoured to support. I was obliged to own, that a man on horseback
passed me soon after Tyrrell had quitted me; that, on coming to the
spot where the deceased was found, I saw this same horseman on the very
place; that I believed, nay, that I was sure (how could I evade this),
that that man was Sir Reginald Glanville.

Farther evidence, Thornton had already offered to adduce. He could
prove, that the said horseman had been mounted on a grey horse, sold to
a person answering exactly to the description of Sir Reginald Glanville;
moreover, that that horse was yet in the stables of the prisoner. He
produced a letter, which, he said, he had found upon the person of the
deceased, signed by Sir Reginald Glanville, and containing the most
deadly threats against his life; and, to crown all, he called upon me to
witness, that we had both discovered upon the spot where the murder was
committed, a picture belonging to the prisoner, since restored to him,
and now in his possession.

At the close of this examination, the worthy magistrate shook his head,
in evident distress! "I have known Sir Reginald Glanville personally,"
said he: "in private as in public life, I have always thought him the
most upright and honourable of men. I feel the greatest pain in saying,
that it will be my duty fully to commit him for trial."

I interrupted the magistrate; I demanded that Dawson should be produced:
"I have already," said he, "inquired of Thornton respecting that person,
whose testimony is of evident importance; he tells me, that Dawson has
left the country, and can give me no clue to his address."

"He lies!" cried I, in the abrupt anguish of my heart; "his associate
shall be produced. Hear me: I have been, next to Thornton, the chief
witness against the prisoner, and when I swear to you, that, in spite of
all appearances, I most solemnly believe in his innocence, you may rely
on my assurance, that there are circumstances in his favour, which have
not yet been considered, but which I will pledge myself hereafter to
adduce." I then related to the private ear of the magistrate, my firm
conviction of the guilt of the accuser himself. I dwelt forcibly upon
the circumstance of Tyrrell's having mentioned to me, that Thornton
was aware of the large sum he had on his person, and of the strange
disappe