_The judge_ (with some surprise).--No, Mr. Colt. That will never do. You
have examined her, and re-examined her.
I need hardly say Mr. Colt knew very well he could not call Julia Dodd.
But he was fighting for seconds now, to get in Skinner. "Call Edward
Dodd."
Edward was sworn, and asked if he knew the late Jane Hardie.
"I knew her well," said he.
"Is that her handwriting?"
"It is."
"Where was it written?"
"In my mother's house at Barkington."
"Under what circumstances?"
"She was dying--of a blow given her by a maniac called Maxley."
"Maxley!" said the judge to counsel. "I remember the Queen _v._ Maxley. I
tried him myself at the assizes: it was for striking a young lady with a
bludgeon, of which she died. Maxley was powerfully defended; and it was
proved that his wife had died, and he had been driven mad for a time, by
her father's bank breaking. The jury _would_ bring in a verdict that was
no verdict at all; as I took the liberty to tell them at the time. The
judges dismissed it, and Maxley was eventually discharged."
_Colt._--No doubt that was the case, my lord.
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