The body of the murdered man had been found by a laborer.

There was a huge sharp stone under the head, and death seemed to have resulted from a fracture of the skull caused by a heavy fall.

There was no appearance of a blow.
As to Sim, the circumstantial evidence looked grave.

Old Wilson had been seen to pass through Smeathwaite after dark; he must have done so to reach his lodgings at the tailor's house.

Sim had been seen abroad about the same hour.