After they had been found it was necessary to indict and then to extradite them in order to secure their presence within the jurisdiction, and when all this had been accomplished it proved practically valueless.
It frequently happens that an entire case will rest upon the testimony of a single witness whose absence from the jurisdiction would prevent the trial.

An instance of such a case was that of Albert T.Patrick, for without the testimony of his alleged accomplice--the valet, Jones--he could not have been convicted of murder.

The preservation of such a witness and his testimony thus becomes of paramount importance, and rascally witnesses sometimes enjoy considerable ease, if not luxury, at the expense of the public while waiting to testify.

Often, too, a case of great interest will arise where the question of the guilt of the accused turns upon the evidence of some one person who, either from mercenary motives or because of "blood and affection," is unwilling to come to the fore and tell the truth.

A striking case of this sort occurred some ten years ago.