The evidence of the clock-maker proved that he kept the key, and that there had been no necessity to set the clock and wind it up again, since he had performed both those acts on the day preceding Mr.
Dubourg's visit.

The accuracy of the clock thus vouched for, the conclusion on the evidence was irresistible.

Mr.Dubourg stood convicted of having been in the field at the time when the murder was committed; of having, by his own admission, had a quarrel with the murdered man, not long before, terminating in an assault and a threat on his side; and, lastly, of having attempted to set up an alibi by a false statement of the question of time.

There was no alternative but to commit him to take his trial at the Assizes, charged with the murder of the builder in Pardon's Piece.
The trial occupied two days.
No new facts of importance were discovered in the interval.

The evidence followed the course which it had taken at the preliminary examinations--with this difference only, that it was more carefully sifted.