"Then by that calculation," said the counsel, "it must have wanted five-and-twenty minutes, or an half-hour to six when you got home. But tell me, do you know the clock very accurately?" Witness.--"Yes, Mr. Acton taught me two months ago." Counsel.--"And his kindness will safe his life. How long does it take you, witness, to go from the gardener's cottage to Northferry? I am told the distance, from Mr. Tracy's house to the village or town, is nearly two miles: can you walk that distance in a quarter of an hour?" Counsel for the prosecution.--"That is a leading question." Sir ----. --"I only wish to make the whole clear to the jury. I am not seeking to puzzle or to mislead; but it has been stated that the distance is nearly two miles. The boy has said he walked it in nearly twenty minutes, and, without pretending to disbelieve him, I wish him to explain, to reconcile the two facts, which at first sight seem incompatible." Judge.--"I think the question may be put. If not put by counsel, I will put it. The point must be made clear." The counsel for the defence then repeated the question. Witness.--"I walked, and I ran a part of the way, because I was late; but the distance is nothing like two miles by the fields. I never take more than twenty minutes to go or come; and that time I went through the grounds, which saves a good bit. I know Mr. Acton once walked there and back in half an hour, and bought me a book too." Counsel.--"Thus the matter is easily explained. One can see, by the plan submitted by the prosecution, that the high road to Northferry takes innumerable turnings and windings. Can you give me any distinct idea, witness, of what o'clock it was when you saw the body of a man lying by the fish-pond?--By Northferry clock, I mean." Witness.--"It must have been half-past five, as near as possible." Counsel.--"You are sure it was not six?" Witness.--"How could that be? When I got home it wanted a quarter to six by our clock, and that is always a good bit too fast." Counsel.--"You are sure it is never too slow?" Witness.--"Oh dear, no. If I were to go to school by it I should always be there before any of the other boys." Counsel.--"And you are sure the prisoner did not return for full half an hour after your arrival?" Witness.--"It was more than that--five or ten minutes more." Counsel.--"Did you see any scratches on his hands, making them bleed?" Witness.--"No, I did not see any. His hands did not bleed at all after he came down again." Counsel.--"How long might he be absent when he went up to his room?" "Some five or ten minutes, I dare say," said the boy. The counsel here sat down, and the boy was re-examined at some length by the counsel for the prosecution, without eliciting any new fact, or causing him at all to vary in his statements. Four or five other witnesses were examined to various minute facts, of no great importance in themselves, but all bearing more or less upon the case.