Page:The London Guide and Stranger's Safeguard.djvu/97

Rh Some years before, Mr. B of Newgate Street was found intoxicated by the watchman, but his watch could not be found, and the drunkard accused the guardian of the night of having stolen it, to his certain knowledge. Search was made, the watchman was dismantled, but no watch could be found upon either party until the house was cleared, and then it was discovered upon the right owner. Very few people believed it had been there all the time: but the highest part of the joke was to follow: the watchman, threatened an action for defamation, and received five pounds as a compromise for the damage his character sustained from the foulness of the charge!

When Jem Leary underwent his second examination for the murder of Clifford, his clasp knife was produced; which was pretended to have been found on the spot, but which he on his first examination, stated to have lent to the deceased at supper time. Now the deed was not committed with a knife, but a hammer; the accused claimed the knife the moment it was produced, said he had left it at home in the cup-board the same morning,—yet was this clumsy incident received in proof. Leary was hanged, and the officer discharged for something else.