CHAPTER 5: Not Guilty!.
The schoolmaster was the first witness called for the defence.
After stating that, although no evening was actually settled for his coming over, he expected the prisoner one evening that week; and that he had promised to bring his tools over, to do a little job of carpentering; he also detailed his visit to the lane, and the result of his observation there; and then gave Reuben the highest character, saying that he had known him for five years, and that he had an absolute confidence in his integrity and honesty.
"He has from the first," he said, "proved a most intelligent and hard-working boy, anxious to improve himself and to get on in the world.

He has learnt all that I could teach him, and more.

He is one of the last persons in the world whom I should consider capable of the crime with which he is charged.

As to his having any animosity to Mr.Ellison, I can swear that, on many different occasions, he has expressed his high opinion of him; and has declared that it was quite natural that, with the evidence before him, he should have thought him guilty of poisoning the dog." The keeper of the wayside public house, where he had breakfasted, proved that he was struck with the prisoner's appearance when he entered; that he was very pale, and seemed scarcely able to walk.
He had asked him the nearest way to Lewes, and had inquired whether there was any chance of getting a lift; as he was anxious to get back, as soon as possible.
Mr.Penfold was the next witness.

He said that the prisoner had been apprenticed to him, four years previously; that his general conduct had been most excellent, and that he was remarkably quick and intelligent, and was an excellent workman.