For these reasons, gentlemen of the jury, and others which will come out in evidence, I shall ask you by your verdict to find the prisoner guilty of the wilful murder of John Smith." This seemed a very strong case, and one or two of the jury rather wondered that the judge did not at once direct them to bring in a verdict of "Guilty." However, as it appeared to be the usual thing to hear evidence, they waited.
The first witness called was Job Walker, and, in response to the call, Blyth of the Fifth stepped into the box.
His evidence related to the feud between the murdered, man and the men in the boiler-shop; and he gave an account of the intrusion of Smith on the night of the 3rd and of the quarrel which ensued.

Blyth, in fact, related what had happened in the common room at Railsford's that evening, only changing names and places in accordance with Barnworth's story.
When his examination in chief was concluded, Felgate rose and said,-- "I have one or two questions to ask you, Mr Job Walker.

You say you were in the boiler-shop during the whole of the evening in question.
Where was the proper foreman of the shop at the time ?" "He was out." "Was work going on as usual in his absence ?" "Pretty much." "What do you mean by pretty much?
Were _you_ working yourself ?" Great delight of the juniors, for Blyth had been one of the chief rioters.
"Well," said he, "perhaps I was a little slack." (Laughter.) "Who was in charge of the shop at the time ?" "The prisoner and another workman called Flounders." "And pray were they `slack,' too, as you call it ?" "Yes--they were no good at all." (Laughter.) "Were you present when the proper foreman returned ?" "Yes, I was." "Did he say anything to the prisoner ?" "He seemed in a great rage." "Did they come to blows ?" "No--but I shouldn't have been surprised if they had." "That will do, Mr Job Walker." Barnworth asked another question before Mr Walker stepped down.
"Did you notice what took place between the prisoner and the deceased ?" "Yes.

The deceased, when he came in, told the prisoner he was no good, and sent him to his place and took charge of the shop.

The prisoner was very angry, and said he would like to pay Smith out." The general opinion was that Blyth had acquitted himself well, and he was cheered by the public as he stood down.
Timothy Simple was next called, and Simson, rather pale and scared- looking, answered to the name.
The examination of this witness was left to Ranger, who got him to narrate the circumstances of his finding the body of the "deceased" on the morning of the 5th.