The boy was an intelligent lad and, when the boy employed in my garden left, I gave him the place.

He gave every satisfaction.

One day he was severely bitten by the watchdog and, three days later, the dog was found poisoned.

My gardener saw a boy running away from the spot, a quarter of an hour before the dog died.
He believed it to be the prisoner, but it was too dark for him to distinguish the features.
"At the time, I certainly suspected that he had been guilty of poisoning the dog and, in spite of his denying that he had anything to do with it, as he was unable to account for where he was at the time the boy was seen, I discharged him.

I wish to say publicly that I have deeply regretted having done so, ever since, and that I consider I acted hastily and wrongly in so doing.