"Evidence of that kind will be useful at the trial, when the matter will be thoroughly sifted.

We only have to decide that there is prima facie evidence connecting you with the offence, and of that there can be no doubt." At the sitting a week later, no fresh evidence was produced; and Reuben was committed for trial at the next assizes.

Public opinion in Lewes ran high on the subject of Reuben's guilt or innocence.
The other workmen at the mill wright's were strongly in his favour--he was very popular among his fellows--and they pointed out that several hands must have been concerned in the business, that he was never seen about in public houses of an evening, or was likely to have any connection with bad characters.

Was it probable, if he had gone about such a job as that, he would have taken tools marked with his own initials; or if he had, that he would have been fool enough to leave them behind?
Upon the other hand, opinion in general ran strongly against him.
His story was declared to be utterly improbable, and a fellow who had once been dismissed for poisoning a dog would be likely, at any future time, to revenge himself upon the employer who turned him off.

As to Mr.Ellison's declaration of his subsequent opinion that he acted hastily, little weight was attached to it.