She wished
to see me immediately on a matter of great importance. I hastened to
Mr Dutton's, and found, on arriving there, that George Hamblin was in
custody, and undergoing an examination, at no great distance off,
before two county magistrates, on the charge of having fired Mr
Dutton's premises. The chief evidence was, that Hamblin had been seen
lurking about the place just before the flames broke out, and that
near the window where an incendiary might have entered there were
found portions of several lucifer-matches, of a particular make, and
corresponding to a number found in Hamblin's bedroom. To this Hamblin
replied, that he had come to the house by Mr Dutton's invitation, but
found nobody there. This, however, was vehemently denied by Mr Dutton.
He had made no appointment with Hamblin to meet at his, Dutton's,
house. How should he, purposing as he did to be in London at the time?
With respect to the lucifer-matches, Hamblin said he had purchased
them of a mendicant, and that Mr Dutton saw him do so. This also was
denied. It was further proved, that Hamblin, when in drink, had often
said he would ruin Dutton before he died. Finally, the magistrates,
though with some hesitation, decided that there was hardly sufficient
evidence to warrant them in committing the prisoner for trial, and he
was discharged, much to the rage and indignation of the prosecutor.
Pages:
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44