I have a great liking for him, and believe him to be not only a singularly intelligent and hard-working lad, but a perfectly truthful and open one.

I allow that the circumstances are much against him; but the evidence is, to my mind, completely overbalanced by his absolute denial.

You must remember that he saw that you were quite convinced of his guilt; and that, in your eyes, his denial would be an aggravation of the offence.

Therefore you see he had no strong motive for telling a lie.
"Who killed your dog I do not know but, from my knowledge of his character and assurance of his truthfulness, I am perfectly convinced that Reuben Whitney did not do it.

The boy is, in some ways, very superior to the other lads I teach.