“‘I am sorry to press you, Mr. Campaigne, on a subject so painful, but I have a life to save. Do you suppose that your friend was one who would be likely to yield up his life without a struggle?’ “‘Certainly not. He was a strong and resolute man.’ “‘Again, look at the prisoner,’ who was not more than five feet five. ‘Do you suppose that your friend would stand still to be killed by a little man like that?’ “‘It is absurd to suppose anything of the kind.’ “‘He might have been taken unawares, but then the blow would have been at the back of the head. Now, it was in the front. Do you suppose it possible that this labouring man should on entering the wood suddenly resolve upon taking a strange gentleman’s life without a motive, not even with the hope of plunder?--should rush upon him, find him off his guard, and succeed in taking his life without receiving a blow or a scratch?’ “‘I certainly do not. I consider the thing absolutely impossible.’ “‘Do you suppose that, if all these improbabilities or impossibilities had taken place, the man would have run back covered with blood to tell what he had found, and to pretend that some other man had done it?’ “‘I certainly do not.’ “The boy, who had already given his evidence, was recalled. “‘How long was it after Mr. Holme went into the wood before John Dunning went in?’ “‘It was a long time.’ “‘We know the facts already,’ said the Judge; ‘the two gentlemen went out at ten; they would reach the wood, according to this map, about fifteen minutes past ten; the dead body was brought home a little after noon. Therefore, as the prisoner was only a few minutes in the wood, it must have been about twenty minutes to twelve that he went in.’ “‘And remained, my lord, no more than a few minutes.’ “‘So it would seem from the evidence. Much mischief, however, may be done in a few minutes.’ “The counsel recalled the doctor. “‘When you saw the body it was, I think you said, a little before one o’clock.’ “‘That is so.’ “‘The body was then quite stiff and dead, you say?’ “‘Quite. It had been dead some time--perhaps two hours.’ “‘It had been dead two hours. You are quite sure?’ “‘I will not swear to the exact time. I will say a long while.’ “‘If the boy’s evidence as to the time occupied by the prisoner in the wood is correct, death would have been caused a few minutes before the men brought the shutter. The body would have been quite warm.’ “‘It would.’ “‘Now--you saw the wound. Indicate for the jury exactly where it was.’ “The doctor laid his hand on the top of his head. “‘Not the front, but the top. Very good. Mr. Holme was six feet high. Look at the prisoner. Is it possible that so short a man could have inflicted such a blow on the top of the head?’ “‘Not unless he found his victim seated.’ “‘Quite so. And we have heard from Mr. Campaigne that it was impossible to sit down in the wet wood. Thank you.’”