There were marks where the horse stopped, and marks of feet in the field, and a patch of blood; all of which goes to prove that your story may be true, but unfortunately it doesn't prove that it was because, according to the theory against you, you might have been assaulted after the robbery, as well as before it." "But in that case," Reuben said, "why should they have taken the trouble to carry me twenty miles away ?" "Yes, there is of course that question," the schoolmaster said thoughtfully; "but then, on the other hand, why did they take the trouble in case you were not an accomplice?
In both cases the answer is the same--they did it to prevent your giving the alarm, until they had got far away from the scene.

They didn't like to murder you, because of the consequences to themselves; but they would not risk your recovering consciousness and getting up an early pursuit.

It cuts both ways, you see." "So it does," Reuben assented.

"It's just a question of belief; and I own, myself, that that old dog business is very much against me; and that I can't blame anyone who considers me guilty." Reuben's was the last case taken at the assizes, and occasioned a good deal of interest in that part of Sussex, partly owing to the position of Squire Ellison, partly to the nature of the defence set up, as to which opinion was a good deal divided.

The evidence for the prosecution was, to a great extent, similar to that given at the inquiry before the magistrates.