Durham then stepped into the box and stated that Gore had dined with him
at his house on Camden Hill. There was another mutual friend present.
Bernard had arrived at seven at the house and had left it at ten
o'clock. Witness produced Sir Simon's letter stating that Gore was
courting the housemaid Jane. But Durham swore that Bernard had denied
this, and said that he had not been near the house. "Indeed," added the
witness, "he did not know the whereabouts of the house till I told him."
Coroner: "Then he must have gone from your house direct to Crimea
Square."
Durham: "I can't understand why he should do so. He had no intention of
going, and certainly he had no idea of killing Sir Simon. I am quite
convinced that he is innocent."
This expression produced incredulous smiles, as by this time everyone
present was certain that Gore was the culprit. Thanks to Durham's
representations Dick West (_alias_ Lord Conniston) was not called. It is
needless to say that the real name of this witness was not known. Had it
been public the Coroner would have doubtless insisted on his production,
if only to swell the scandal of the case by the addition of a title.
In summing up the Coroner was quite on the side of the prosecution and
public opinion was with him. He pointed out that the evidence of the
cook, the housemaid, the page and the officer all showed that Bernard
Gore and Corporal Bernard were one and the same. Also there was the
evidence of Mrs. Gilroy, who opened the door at ten o'clock to the man
himself. Without doubt Gore was the person who had called to see his
grandfather. As to the motive for the commission of the crime, the jury
could see for themselves that there was a strong one. Mr. Beryl's
evidence showed that a bitter quarrel existed, and this was confirmed
both by Miss Randolph and Mrs. Gilroy. Even the word "strangled" had
been used, and in that way Sir Simon had met with his death. Without
doubt Gore, furious at being disinherited, had called to see Sir Simon,
to see if he could be reinstated. Doubtless, as both had fiery tempers,
a quarrel had taken place, and then the younger man, having rendered the
older one unconscious by means of chloroform, had murdered him. It was
certainly inexplicable that he should have returned to the house, but
then the jury must take into consideration that perhaps Gore thought
such a bold course might prove his innocence. Finally, his escape showed
that he was guilty, as had he been an innocent man, he would have faced
the matter out. It would seem that the criminal was dead. He had fallen
into the hands of God, and thus had not escaped punishment. But on the
facts before them the jury would have to give their verdict.
Biased both by the evidence and by the Coroner's speech, the jury
brought in a verdict of guilty against Bernard Gore. Durham expected the
verdict and so did Miss Plantagenet, but both of them, being Bernard's
firm friends, felt a pang when they heard him thus condemned of wilful
murder.