Mr. Dalton Dessant will leave the Bench during the hearing of
this case.' Mr. Dalton Dessant, one of the silent magistrates already
alluded to, bows to the chairman, and wriggles his chair back about two
feet from the table. There he gazes at the ceiling. He is one of the
trustees of the Essant Hill property; and the Bench are very careful to
consult public opinion in L---- borough.
The first witness is an assistant keeper: the head keeper stands behind
him--a fine man, still upright and hearty-looking, but evidently at the
beginning of the vale of years; he holds his hat in his hand; the
sunlight falls through the casement on his worn velveteen jacket. The
assistant, with the aid of a few questions from the Clerk, gives his
evidence very clear and fairly. 'I saw the defendant's van go down the
lane,' he says:
'It bean't my van,' interrupts the defendant; 'it's my brother's.'
'You'll have an opportunity of speaking presently,' says the Clerk. 'Go
on' (to the witness).
'After the van went down the lane, it stopped by the highway-road, and
the horse was taken out. The women left the van with baskets, and went
towards the village.'
'Yes, yes; come to the point. Did you hide yourself by order of the head
keeper?'
'I did--in the nutwood hedge by Three Corner Piece; after a bit I saw
the defendant.'
'Had you any reason for watching there?'
'There was a wire and a rabbit in it.
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