He must point out, however, that if the contention of his learned friend were correct, Sir John Bell was one of the wickedest villains who ever disgraced the earth.
In summing up the judge took much the same line.

The case, that was of a character upon which it was unusual though perfectly allowable to found a criminal prosecution, he pointed out, rested solely upon the evidence of Sir John Bell, corroborated as it was by the nurse.

If that evidence was correct, then, to satisfy my own ambition or greed, I had deliberately risked and, as the issue showed, had taken the life of a lady who in all confidence was entrusted to my care.

Incredible as such wickedness might seem, the jury must remember that it was by no means unprecedented.

At the same time there was a point that had been scarcely dwelt upon by counsel to which he would call their attention.