ILLMETBYGASLIGHT

FiveEdinburghMurders

AllanMassie

PaulHarrisPublishing

Edinburgh

BookJacket.

ILLMETBYGASLIGHT

FIVEEDINBURGHMURDERS

ALLANMASSIE

IllmetbyGaslightisastudyoffiveEdinburghcriminalsoveraperiodof100years.ItextendsfromtheprofessionalthiefDavidHaggartwhoflourishedintheEdinburghofWalterScottandLordCockburntothe1920’spsychopathictriplemurdererDonaldMerrett.Itisnot,though,primarilyaworkofcriminologyintheRoughhead-Lustgartentradition.Asanovelist,Massieisinterestedinthecharactersofhismurderers,and,asahistorian,inthesocialcircumstancesofmurder.Hisstudiesexplorethehiddenrecessesofregency,Victorianandearlytwentieth-centuryEdinburgh,tracingthechangingcharacterofthecityandofsociety,illuminatingitsmannersandmoralsbyenquirydirectedatabreaking-pointofcivillife:themomentofmurder.HerevealsanEdinburghmoreturbulentandpassionatethanissuggestedbyitselegantfa‡ade.

AllanMassiewaseducatedatGlenalmondandTrinityCollege,Cambridge.Hehaswrittentwonovels,ChangeandDecayinAllAroundISeeandTheLastPeacock,andacriticalstudyofMurielSpark.Heisatpresentwritinganovelaboutapoliticalassassination,setinRome(wherehelivedforanumberofyears)andresearchingabookabouttheearlyCaesars.HehasbeenfictionreviewerofTheScotsmanforthelastfouryearsandhascontributedtoawidevarietyofnewspapersandperiodicals.

(c)AllanMassie1980

Firstpublished1980by

PAULHARRISPUBLISHING25LondonStreet

Edinburgh

ISBN0904505928

ForEuanCameron

inaffectionandwithgratitude.

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Contents

Introduction

DavidHaggart

WilliamBennison

EugeneMarieChantrelle

JessieKing

DonaldMerrett.

Introduction.

Murdermaybetakenasthebreaking-pointofcivilsociety.Itisthatmomentwhenbondsofinterestandaffection,whichcommonlyactasarestraintonthepassionsandtheindividualwill,aresevered;themurdererrejectstheauthorityofsociety,and,indoingso,proclaimshimselfanalien.Insocietyweliveamicablybyacceptinglimitationsplacedonourfreedomtoexerciseourwill.Wecommonlyacceptthoselimitationswillingly,recognising,ifonlytacitlyorunconsciously,thattheyaretheobverseofsociety’sdutytoprotectourownPersonsandProperty.AsBurkeputitinhisReflectionsontheRevolutioninFrance,`Mancannotenjoytherights.ofanuncivilandofacivilstatetogether.Thathemayobtainjusticehegivesuphisrightofdeterminingwhatitisinpointsthemostessentialtohim.Thathemaysecuresomeliberty,hemakesasurrenderintrustofthewholeofit.’Itisthisconvention,onwhichcivilsocietyisproperlybased,thatthemurdererrejects,assertinginsteadhisownright`tobehisownGovernor’.Forthisreason,becausetheactofmurderthreatenstotearapartthewholesocialfabric,societyhasalwaysrecoiledinaversionfromthemurderer.Commonhumanityisrevoltedbythisact;he,settinghimselfabovethelaw,issetbyuswithoutit.Murderthereforetakesplaceatacrossroadswherethewilloftheindividualdivergesfromthecodesocietyhasimposed.

Itiseasytoromanticisethemurderer.Thatattitudeisimplicitinthegreatestnoveltocentreonmurder,Dostoevsky’sCrimeandPunishment;eventhoughDostoevskyhimselfdoesnotfallintothetrap,hiscarelessreadersmay.Inasmuchassocietyisfelttobeoppressive,toimposerestrictive,diminishingconventions,thentheFreeMan,arebel

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againstitsdominion,maybefascinatedbytheactofmurder.Youcanseethatintheexistentialattractiontotheactegratuit,themotivelessmurder,theonethat

existssimplyasagobofspittleinsociety’sface.Suchidentificationwiththemurdererisdangerous;heactsouttheunconsciousfantasiesofothers.Jokedatthisway,publicobsessionwiththemosthideouscrimestakesonanewugliness;thecriesofoutragetooeasilyresemblingtherageofthemirroredCaliban;thebeastinallofusshriekingforrelease.Ofcourse,atthesametime,weenjoytheequallydeep,andwhollyconscious,pleasureofreprobation,theexperienceofourownmoralsuperiorityandthereassurancethatweatleastarecomfortablysettledinsociety.

Seeninthisway,themurdererhasaheavysymbolicloadtobear.Seenmorecloselyheisrarelyuptothejob.For,ofcourse,itisonlyinFictionandsometimesinhisownimaginationthatthemurdererapproachestheNietzscheanSuperman.Inthatcoldrealitythatsooftenendsinagreydawnheistoooftenquitethereverse;notsomeonewhotranscendsthesocialnorm,butratheroneincapableofmeasuringuptoit;untermenschnotubermensch.Whenoneseesthepublicragepouredonthesemiserableincompetentsoneseessocietyatitsmostunpleasant.For,whilethemurdererrepresentsthefailureofsocialman,societycanhardlyaltogetherescapesomeresponsibility.Tosaythatisnottoslideintotheimbecilitiesenshrinedinthecantphrase,`weareallguilty’;merelytosaythatforsocietycallouslytocastoutsocialfailuresmayaccordwithsomeDarwiniantheoriesofhowtobehave,butishardlycivilisedorhumane.

BecausemurderhappensatthatpointwhenthedemandsoftheindividualWill,theEgo,clashwiththedutiesordainedbysociety,astudyofmurdersandmurderersmayhelptoilluminateournatureinbothitssocialanditssecretaspects.Differentepochsgiverisetodifferentsortsofmurder.Thecrimepassionel,forinstance,waslongrareinAnglo-Saxoncountries,commoninLatinones,notbecauseLatinsweremorepassionate,ormoreviolentthanEnglishmen,butbecausetheirsocialconceptionofwhatbecameamandecreedthatincertaincircumstancesheshouldslayhismistressorhiswife,orthewoman’slover.Thatmayseemtocontradict

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whathasbeensaidabouttheclashbetweenindividualandsocietywhichmurderrepresents;itdoesnotreallydosohowever;theseweremurderers,onthepointofsocialacceptibility,stillofcourseillegal,butinthatparticularsocietymore

easilyunderstood,moreeasilyforgiven.Forattitudestomurderchangeaccordingtosocialdevelopments;somekindsarealwaysmorereprehensiblethanothers.Forthisreasonastudyofmurdersoffersvaluablelessonsinsociology.

ForalongtimedomesticmurderswerepeculiarlyBritish;theyarenolongersocommon.Thereasonsaredoubtlessvarious,butessentiallydomesticmurderwastheresultoftheelevationofthefamilytoapositionofextremeimportance,whileatthesametimethecultofrespectabilitywaspractisedanddivorcewasdifficultanddisgraceful.Suchacombinationsetupconflictsintheindividualwhichweretoooftenresolvedinmurder,asthecasesofBennisonandChantrelledescribedhereillustrate.Inourlifetimeallthese-family,respectability,sanctityofmarriage-havebeenrelaxed.Itisnolongernecessarytomurdertogratifyyourlust,orpleasetheEgo;hence,domesticmurdersarerarer.Yetatthesametimethenakedcommercialismofoursociety,alliedtovaguelyarticulatedbutwidelydiffusednotionsofself-realisation,hasspawnedallsortsofsexualfantasy;thismaybeseenasasocialtendency,butsocieydoesnotmoveasfastastheindividualimagination;thingsarestillillegal;murderstakeplaceinconsequence.(Iamnotofcourseadvocatingstillfurtherliberationinthisrespect;merelyindicatinghowsocialtendencies,workedupbythefantasisingindividualimagination,willfrequentlyhaveantisocialresults.)

Recognitionofhowformsofmurderrespondtosocialdevelopmentsshouldmakeuswaryoftheoriesconcerningcriminaltypes.First,murderisinsomewaysanunusualcriminalaction,agoodmanymurderersleadingotherwiselaw-abidinglives.Toomuchshouldnotbemadeofthisdifferencehowever;essentiallymurderislikeallothercrimesinitsrejectionoftheobligationswhichsocietytriestoimposeontheindividual.However,thesecondpointismoreimportant.Aman,law-abidingincertaincircumstances,becomescriminalinothers;thatistosay,thesamemanmayfindone

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societyacceptableinitsdemands,anothernot.Youcanseethisdifferencemanifestedbyproblemchildren,whosuddenly,removedtoanewschooloranewenvironment,becomereformed.Theessentialselfhasnotchanged;buthasmerelyfoundsocietyagainstwhichitisnotnecessarytorebel.Talkofcriminal

typesisalwaysglib:

`Inapopularmagazinethereisoneoftheusualarticlesaboutcriminology;aboutwhetherwickedmencouldbemadegoodiftheirheadsweretakentopieces.AsbyfarthewickedestmenIknowofaremuchtoorichandpowerfulevertosubmittotheprocess,thespeculationleavesmecold.Ialwaysnoticewithpain,however,acuriousabsenceoftheportraitsoflivingmillionairesfromsuchgalleriesofawfulexamples;mostoftheportraitsinwhichwearecalledupontoremarkthelineofthenoseorthecurveoftheforeheadappeartobetheportraitsofordinarysadmen,whostolebecausetheywerehungryorkilledbecausetheywereinarage.Thephysicalpeculiarityseemstovaryinfinitely;sometimesitistheremarkablesquarehead,sometimesitistheunmistakableroundhead;sometimesthelearneddrawattentiontotheabnormaldevelopment,sometimestothestrikingdeficiency,ofthebackofthehead.Ihavetriedtodiscoverwhatistheinvariablefactor,theonepermanentmarkofthescientificcriminaltype;afterexhaustiveclassificationIhavetocometotheconclusionthatitconsistsinbeingpoor.’

SoChesterton,andmostofwhathesaysisadmirablesense.Evenhisownironicconclusion,sentimentalthoughitmaybepronounced,canbedefended.Thepooraremorelikelythantherichtofindsocietythwartingtheirwill;theobstaclesplacedinthewayoftheirselfgratificationbeingincomparablygreater.So,forexample,thefirstofmysubjects,theamiablescoundrel,DavidHaggart,followedacareerwhichcouldfairlyenoughbeinterpretedasanactofdefiancedirectedathispovertyandsocialposition.Itis,Ithink,possibletoidentifymentalhabitsandqualitiescharacteristicofthecrimina

whenevertheseclashwithone’sown,disregardofconsequence-but,asChestertonpointsout,thesecharacteristicsarefrequentlysharedbythesuccessful.Inanycasesuchcriminalattributescangenerallyonlybeidentifiedafterthecriminalact.

Thisbookdealswithmurdersinsociety.Itconcentrateslessperhapsthansomereadersmightwishontheset-piece,thetrialformurder,whichconcludesmy

murderers’careers,anditisnotpretendedthatthesearecasesofthekindlikelytogiverisetomuchdebate.Itisprobablethatthefourwhowerehangedwereguiltyofthecrimesofwhichtheywereaccused,andthattheonewhogotawaywasextremelylucky.Interestliesinthecircumstancesofthecrimesratherthaninquestionsofguiltorinnocence.Whywerethesefivepeoplebroughttothisdefianceofsocietyanditslaws?

ItisalsoastudyofEdinburghwhereallfivemurdererslived,wherefourofthecrimeswerecommittedandfourofthemurderershanged.ThecasesextendfromtheyearsjustafterWaterlootothe1920’s.Theyshedsomelightonthedevelopmentofthecity,onchanginghabitsofliving,thinkingandfeeling.Itisperhapsa_remarkablefeatureofEdinburghmurdersthatsomanywerecommittedbyincomers.OfmysubjectsonlyDavidHaggartandJessieKingwerenativesofthe,city,whilethemostfamousofthoseIhavechosennottodealwith,BurkeandHare,wereofcourseIrishimmigrants.Idoubtwhetherthereismuchsignificanceinthisfact,thoughitmightbeclaimedthatincomersalwaysfindithardertoadapttothenormsofanyparticularsociety,andarethereforemorelikelytofindthemselvesbehavingasoutlaws.

AnystudentofEdinburghcrimeowesmuchtoWilliamRoughead,itsmostindefatigablechronicler.Roughead(1870-1952),whoasasmallboymetChantrelle,andwhoattendedthetrialsofJessieKingandDonaldMerrett,isafigureworthyofcloseattentionhimself.Alargelynonpractisingsolicitor,heattendedeverymajortrialintheHighCourtoveraperiodofmorethanfiftyyears,andwroteaboutmostofthem.Iconfesstoacertainfeelingofguilttowardshimandhisshade;forIhaveusedhimfreelyandusedhimroughly.Roughead,verymuchofhisperiod,wasfascinated

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bycrimeanddeviance,andtotallyunsympathetictowardscriminals.HeregardedtheLawwithabsolutereverenceandnosuspicionwhatsoever.Itwasanattitudethatspokeofcompletesocialsecurity-criminalsbelongedtoalowerclass-ofalackofanyrealimaginationandofacrude,ifeffective,psychology.Hequiterightlysawthatcriminalsweresubversive,andconcludedthattheywerethereforewicked.Sohedisplayedavengefulrelishinhistreatmentofthemthatamoresqueamish,moresceptical,agemayfindunattractive.Hecouldnot

seetheuglinessofasocietywhereestablishedauthorityemployedthelawtokeeptheinferiorclassesinorder;orthatthecriminalmightbevictimasmuchasrebel.And,worsethanthat,hehadrarelyanyideawhythecrimeswerecommitted.InshortthetroublewithRougheadwasthathewasajudge,notamurderer.Thatmayseemanextraordinarythingtosay;atatimewhensocietyisunderstrainitmayevensoundrathersilly.NeverthelessIthinkitisbothtrueandimportanttorecognisethisasalimitationincriminologistssuchasRoughead.Itdisplayssomethingdeficientintheirknowledgeof,andresponseto,humannature.Heknewwhyjudgesputontheblackcap,andevenwhattheyfeltlikeastheydidso;butnotwhythemaninthedockhadearneditorhowhefeltwhenhesawitdonned.Givenhisplacein,andviewof,society,thatwasreasonableenough;youcan’thoweverwritesensefromthatstandpointtoday.

Chestertonsawallthismorethanhalfacenturyago:

`Thesecretis,’FatherBrownsaid,`thatitwasIwhokilledallthosepeople….ImeanthatIreallydidseemyself,andmyrealself,committingthemurders.Ididn’tactuallykillthemenbymaterialmeans,butthat’snotimportant.Anybrickorbitofmachinerymighthavekilledthembymaterialmeans;butthat’snotthepoint.ImeanthatIthoughtandthoughtabouthowamanmightcometobelikethat,untilIrealizedthatIreallywaslikethat,ineverythingexceptactualfinalconsenttotheaction….Whatdothesemenmean,ninetimesoutoften…whentheysaycriminologyisascience?Theymeangettingoutsideamanandstudyinghimasifhewereagiganticinsect;inwhat

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theywouldcalladryimpartiallight,inwhatIshouldcalladeadanddehumanizedlight.Theymeangettingalongwayoffhim,asifhewereadistantprehistoricmonster;staringattheshapeofhis“criminalskull”asifitwereasortofeeriegrowth,likethehornonarhinoceros’snose.Whenascientisttalksaboutatype,henevermeanshimself,butalwayshisneighbour;probablyhispoorerneighbour-Idon’ttrytogetoutsidetheman.Itrytogetinsidethemurderer…noman’sreallyanygoodtillheknowshowbadheis,ormightbe;tillhe’srealizedexactlyhowmuchrighthehastoallthissnobbery,and

sneering,andtalkingabout“criminals”,asiftheywereapesinaforesttenthousandmilesaway;tillhe’sgotridofallthedirtyself-deceptionoftalkingaboutlowtypesanddeficientskulls;tillhe’ssqueezedoutofhissoulthelastdropoftheoilofthePharisees;tillhisonlyhopeissomehoworothertohavecapturedonecriminal,andkepthimsafeandsaneunderhisownhat….’

IwishIcouldclaimtohaverisenconsistentlytothishighseriousness;ironyandcomplacencykeepbreakingintopreventit.StillChestertonseemstomepreferabletoRoughead.Hefeelswiththemurdererandrealisesthatthemurderer’sdenialoftheclaimsofhumanityisalltoohuman.Itmaybeobjected,justlyenough,thattoattackRougheadandhisattitudetocrime,issuperfluous;nomorethanfloggingadeaddonkey;thatindeedwehavegonetoofarintheotherdirection;moralrelativismisallthemode;criminalsare‘understood’,theircrimesexplainedaway,theirvictimsignored;thatsociologistsofourday,farfromtalkingaboutcriminaltypes,areonlytooreadytotalkawaytheexistenceofcrimeitself.Treatingitmerelyoratmostasamanifestationofantisocialfeeling,theydemoraliseit;and,inasmuchastheyarethemselvesfrequentlyhostiletosocietyasitispresentlyconstituted,theysympathiseonlytoocompletelywiththecriminal.Inpolysyllabicjargontheyblurissuesandrenderallactions,exceptthoseofthecivilauthority,morallyneutral.

Chestertonwouldhavehadnotimeforthissortoftalkeither;nordoI.Murderisnottobediminished,andcivilsocietyhastobedefended.Itisrighttoreprobatethemur7

dererwhose‘victimhassufferedanunspeakablewrong.Thosewhotalkfulsomelyofsocialdeprivationcanhardlybetrustediftheyareblindtothefactofamorevitaldeprivation.Thereissuchathingasevil,anditrejectstheclaimsofhumanity.Theuntrammelledegowillprovedestructive,whiletheGoodinMan,thehighestGoodofwhichheiscapable,iscreative.

Yetatthesametimeitistruethattheforms,habitsandideologiesofcivilsocietycontributeatanytimetotheformationofthecharactersofthosewhomurder.So,ofmysubjects,DavidHaggartwasledintoaworldofprofessionalcriminalsthatseemedtooffer,didindeedoffer,thatbourgeoisdesideratum,thecareeropentotalents;itpromisedawayoflifethataccordedwithhisnotionsofstyle-thecriminalfraternityapedthearistocracyinmannersandmorals;butit

wasawayoflifewhichmadeitverylikelythatoneday,inrage,desperationorinliquor,hewouldstrikeandkill.WilliamBennison,hisegofosteredbythebalmofhisEvangelicalreligion,wastaughterroneouslytothinkthatallthingswerepermittedtotheRedeemedwhohadbeenwashedintheBloodoftheLamb.EugeneMarieChantrelle,embitteredbyfailure,slewhiswife,whohadonlyremainedtiedtohimbecauseshefearedtoloseherchildrenanddreadedtheobloquythatseparationordivorcewouldbringher.JessieKing,theStockbridgebaby-farmer,wasgivenheropportunitybyacodeofmoralityandsocialbehaviourwhichensuredthatoneEdinburghchildinfourteenwasbornillegitimate.DonaldMerrett,voraciousasthepikeheresembled,wasanearlymodernist,aprecursoroftheaffluentsociety,intentonselfgratification,dulltoobligation.Intenselyselfish,healoneswamfreetocontinuedestroying….

OrtheConeishCove

FromtheCastleRockatEdinburghyoulookacrosstheForthtoFife.Todaytheforegroundoftheviewiscoveredbybuildingsthatstretch,intermingledwithparks,gardensandplaying-fields,allthewaytotheFirth.AtthetimeofWaterloo,however,onlythebeginningsofEdinburgh’sNewTownhadbeenbuilt,andagazerfromtheRockwouldsoonhaveoverlookedthem.TheopenLothiancountrysidestretcheddowntoCramondandthesea.ItwasontheRockinthatyearthattheyoungGeorgeBorrow,authorofLavengroandTheBibleinSpain,cameonedayonaladafewyearsolderthanhimself,perchedonapromontoryandgazingintothatwaterydistance:

`Aladofsomefifteenyears;heisbare-headed,andhisreduncombedhairstandsonendlikeahedgehog’sbristles;hisframeislithy,likethatofanantelope,buthehasprodigousbreadthofchest;hewearsamilitaryundress,thatoftheregiment,evenofadrummer,foritisWildDavy,whomamonthbeforeIhadseenenlistedonLeithLinkstoserveKingGeorgewithdrumanddrumstickaslongashisserviceswererequired,andwho,ereaweekhadelapsed,hadsmittenwithhisfistDrum-MajorElzigoodwho,incensedathisowninaptitude,hadthreatenedhimwithhiscane.’WildDavywasDavidHaggart,whowastobehangeda

fewhundredyardsfromthatRockeightyearslater.Borrow,inthefullfloodoftheRomanticimagination,wentontocouplehimwithMarlowe’sTamburlaine:

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`TamerlaneandHaggart.HaggartandTamerlane.Boththesemenwererobbers,andoflowbirth,yetoneperishedonanignoblescaffold,andtheotherdiedemperoroftheworld.’

Theassociation,wild,evenabsurd,thoughitis,suggestsHaggart’sfascinationforthoseconnectedwithhim.Moreheartfeltperhaps,thoughclumsyinexpression,wastobethelamentofayounggirlwhohadbeenatschoolwithhim:

0woeisme.WhatshallIsay?YoungDavidHaggart’sgone.

Ididnotthinkwhenattheschool,He’ddieatreeupon.

Hailsoberdullness!Everhail!YoungHaggart’sathisrest.

Ihopeheisenthron’daboveAndisforeverblest.

WithitsechoofthemetricalPsalmsthisdoggerelgivesHaggarthisdueasthefolk-herohewouldhavelikedtobe,andcertainlysoberdullnesshadlittlepartinhisbrieflife.

Alessgenerousviewwastakenbyhiscounsel,HenryCockburn.AdmittingthatHaggartwas`young,goodlooking,gayandamiabletotheeye’,heyetdismissedhimwithpatriciancontempt:`thereneverwasariperscoundrel’.Eventhoughtheremaybeacertainindulgenceinthesewords,theyplaceHaggartfirmlyenough.Heissetaside,shovedunder;theAthenianbalanceismaintained,andTamerlaneishardlyacomparisonlikelytoseemjusttothejudiciousWhig.Anyattempttoseeksocialsignificanceinhisshortcareerwould,wemaysuspect,receiveevenshortershriftfromhiscounsel.Professionalcriminalsexisttobedespatched,thoughtheLawofcourseproperlyrequiresthattheybeadequatelydefended.

Tamerlane,theschoolboyfondlyremembered,aripescoundrel:threeviewsofyoungHaggart.

Hewasbornin1800atGoldenacre,half-a-milenorthoftheoldmonasticmillsontheWaterofLeith.Withintwentyyearssubstantialbourgeoisvillaswerebeingbuiltthere,butatthattimeitwasstillopencountry,andHaggart’sfatherwasagamekeeper.LaterhewastomovetothesouthsideoftheCanongate,adistrictalreadyindeclineasthemagnetoftheNewTowndrewthemiddleclassesaway;there,declininghimself,hesetupasadog-trainer.Haggart’sownexperiencethereforewascharacteristicofthestrongesttrendincontemporarysociety,themoveofthepoorfromcountrydistrictstothecity.

Neverthelesshestandsverymuchatthispointoftransition.HewasachildoftheRegency,andhisworldwasarumbustiousoneofracemeetings,stage-coaches,prizefights,waysideinns,gamblingandflashcoves.Itwasaworld

unsettledbytwentyyearsofalmostcontinuouswar,aperiodofviolenteconomicfluctuation,ofanunprecedentedmovementofpopulation,ofsuddengrowthandequallysuddendecline;adecadeofboomsandbankruptcies.Dischargedsoldierswanderedthecountryside,thepolicewerefewandbadlyorganised-inLondontheMetropolitanPoliceForcewasnotcreatedtill1829,whileinEdinburghitwasonlyin1805thataproperpoliceforcehadsupersededtheoldCityGuard;whosepicturesqueappearancewiththeirLochaberaxeswasonlysurpassedbytheirtotalineffectiveness.

Theupperclasseslivedalifeinwhichapoliteformalitystrovetocontrolinnateexuberance.Astrictcodeofmannerswasnecessarybecausefiercepassionswerenotfarbelowthesurface.Theultimateexpressionofthiscodewastheduel,asitmustbeinasocietywhereonlyfearofdeathwillmakepeoplebehave.Evenpoliticiansduelled;CastlereaghexchangedshotswithCanning-andtheywerebothCabinetMinisters-whileevenWellingtoncalledoutamanwhohadlibelledhim.Suchduelswererarelysanguinary;butyoucouldnevertellwhetheryouropponentwouldbeasrestrainedasyouyourselfintendedtobe.Andduelswerefoughtovertrivialmatters,thecasualinsultortheaccusationofcard-sharping,forexample,atatimewhengamblingwasthenationalpassion.Thepurposeoftheduelwasclear:itpre11

servedcivilintercourseamongequals.Asavagepenalcodedidthesamethingforsocietyasawhole.Itexistedtopreservepropertyandtokeepthelowerclassesinorder.

Itwasnecessary.Wearetooeasilydeceivedbyarchitectureanddress.Asaresult,admiring,forexample,thedignityofEdinburgh’sNewTown,itispossibletoforgetsocialandpoliticalconditions,toforgetthefragilityoftheAugustansocialorder.Itwasaviolentandturbulenttime.Edinburghwasgrowingfast-thepopulationin1811wasjustover100,000;tenyearslaterithadincreasedto138,235.Thiswasapeopleilltoorder,andthemoveofthemiddleclassesawayfromtheOldTownwidenedanddeepenedthegulfbetweenrichandpoor.In1812,forexample,therewereriotsonHogmanay,whichwentsomewaybeyondthetraditionalseasonalhighspiritsofScotland’sSaturnalia.

Towardsmidnight,theprincipalstreetsweretakenpossessionofbygangsofyoungroughsfromthelowerpartsofthetown.Theyranriot,armedwith

bludgeons.Theyattackedthepoliceandovercamethemforatime,andtheyknockeddownandrobbedmanyrespectablecitizens,takingtheirmoney,watchesandhats.Twopeoplewerekilled.Threeyouths,allundereighteen,werearrestedandtriedinMarchfortheirpartintheaffray.AllwerehangedinApril.AndallhadHighlandnames-HughMacDonald,HughMacIntoshandNeilSutherland.

Poorharvestscouldsetthemoboff.Thereweremealriotsinthesameyear,andoversixhundredpeoplewerealsochargedasprofessionalbeggarsundertheVagrancyActs.In1813apoliceconstablewaskilledinaHighStreetriot,Theturmoilandviolencepersistedforagoodmanyyears.IanCampbellinhisThomasCarlyle(London,1974)describesEdinburghoftheeighteen-twentiesasbeing`infestedwithhordesofmendicants’andquotesfromaschoolboy’sdiarythattherewere`crowdsofthugsrunningafterthepeopleonthepavement,andstrikingthemwiththeirsticksandmakingagreatnoise.’Aslateas1831LordProvostAllanwasmobbed,stonedandforcedtotakerefugeinashopwhencehehadtoberescuedbyacompanyofdragoonsdespatchedfromtheCastle.NodoubtsucheventsservedtokeeptheauthI

oritiesintouchwithpublicopinion.

Themostspectacularriottookplacein1818andnothingmoresurelydisplaysthefragilityofthesocialorderthanthisoutbreakwhichwassparkedoffbythebotchedexecutionofRobertJohnstone.Itwasashockingaffairwhichprovokedangrydenunciationsofthemagistratesandthepolice.Oneonlooker,astudentcalledWilliamMacbean,describeditinalettertohismotheras`asecondoutbreakofthePorteousmob’;whichmobWalterScottdescribedsopowerfullyinthesameyearinhisnovelTheHeartofMidlothian.

Johnstone,anignorantandstupidcarter(thesetwoqualities,ignoranceandstupidity,notnecessarilyofcoursebeingfoundtogether)tooktocrimewhenthrownoutofworkbythedepressionthatfollowedtheendofthewarsagainstNapoleon.Hisattemptatrobberywasclumsy-hisvictimwaseasilyabletomakeaconfidentidentification,sinceJohnstonehadobliginglyelectedtostagetheassaultimmediatelyunderastreet-lamp.Althoughacasecouldbemadefortheunfortunateman-onedefenderwrotethathehadassociatedwiththose,`whoweredisposedtostealratherthantostarve’hewascondemnedtodeath,the

LordjusticeClerkobservingthat,`Itwasmostlamentablethatthesevereexamplemade,afewyearsback,oftwoyoungmenofthesameprofession,foracrimeexactlysimilar,shouldhavehadsolittleeffect’.Doubtlesshehopedthattherepetitionoftheexamplewouldbemoresuccessful.

Theexecution,despitebeingattended,aswasthecustom,withallthepompofcivicdignity,wassadlybungled.IttookplacejustoutsideStGiles,inthelittleopensquareformedbythechurch,thefrontoftheSignetLibrary,theCountyHall(describedbyajaundicedonlookeras`awretchedcaricatureofanAtheniantemple’)andthelineoftheHighStreet.Unfortunatelytheexecutionerwasanoviceandthedrophadbeenmiscalculated.AccordinglythemiserableJohnstonehungthere,beingslowlystrangled,withhistoesstilltouchingthetable.Remedywasslow.Thecrowd,alreadysympathetictoJohnstone,whosecolleaguesincrimehadescapedmoreeasily,becamerestive.Theyrealisedthatthemanwasstillalive.`GoodGod,theman’sfeetarenotoffthescaffold,’cried

one.Anattemptwasmadeatrescue.Thecrowdrushedtheplatform,stoneswerethrown,andayoungman,prompted,asMrMacbeanobserved,‘bytheimpulseofhumanity’,cutdownthebody.Themagistratetookprudentrefugeinthechurch;thepolicelikewise.Stoneswerenowhurledatthewindows.Itwaslaterclaimedthatasmanyastwohundredpanesofglasswereshattered.

CivisEdinesistookupthestoryinalettertoTheScotsman:

`AspectaclenowpresenteditselfwhichequalledinhorroranythingeverwitnessedinParisduringtheRevolution.TheunhappyJohnstone,half-alive,striptofpartofhisclothes,andhisshirtturnedup,sothatthewholeofhisnakedbackandupperpartofhisbodywasexhibited,layextendedonthegroundinthemiddleofthestreet,infrontofthepoliceoffice.Atlastaftersomeconsiderableinterval,someofthepoliceofficerslayingholdoftheunhappyman,draggedhimtrailingalongtheground,forabouttwentypacesintotheirden,whichisalsointheOldCathedral...’

Hisordealhadhardlyrunhalfitscourse.Asurgeonbledhim-toascertainofcoursewhetherthewretchwasstillsufficientlyalivetobehangedagain.Reassuredonthispoint,theypreparedtoresume.MeanwhileamagistratehadmadehiswaytotheCastleandcalledoutthetroops-the88thFootor

ConnaughtRangersunderMajorGrahame.Whenthesehadsurroundedthescaffoldandstoodtherewithloadedmuskets,itwasconsideredsafetoreturntothehanging.

Thehalf-nakedJohnstonewasledout.`Whileanumberofmenwereabouthim,’wroteCivisEdinesis,`holdinghimonthetableandfasteningtheropeabouthisneck,hisclothesfelldowninsuchamannerthatdecencywouldhavebeenshockedhaditbeenaspectacleofentertainmentinsteadofanexecution.’

Norwasthisall.Johnstonenextworkedhishandfreeandtuggedatthenoose…

`Thebutcherycontinueduntiltwenty-threeminutespastfouro’clock,longafterthestreetlampswerelightedforthenight,andthemoonandstarsdistinctlyvisible…’

OAthensoftheNorth.

Naturallytherewascriticismofthemagistrates.Itwassplendidlysaidthattheyhadshown`contemptforthearbitriumpopularisaurae.’Fortunatelythatnoblebodyofmenremainedundisturbedintheircomplacency.Theyissuedastatementsuperbinitsblandself-exculpation:

`Themagistrates’,saidthemagistrates,`notonlyemployedaskilfultradesmantopreparethegibbet,butgaveorderstothesuperintendentofPublicWorkstoinspectit.MrBonnardidexamineit,andreportedtothemthatitwasfitandsuitableforthepurposeintended.ThechargethattheMagistratesoughttohavecalledoutthecityconstablesisridiculous.Thoughtherecouldbenoanticipationofanyattempttointerferewiththeexecutionofthesentenceofthelaw,nofewerthanonehundredpoliceofficerswereputuponactualdutyandonehundredandthirtywereinreserve.Thuseverystepthathumanprudencecoulddevisewastakenandthesentenceofthelawwouldhavebeenexecutedintheusualmanner,ifalawlessmobhadnotsteppedforwardtopreventit,underpretence,asisnowsaid,ofshowinghumanitytowardsthecriminal.Thestateofthefactisthatnotwithstandingthepainsthathadbeentakentohavetheapparatusperfect,theropewasfoundtobetoolong,afaultaloneimputabletotheexecutioner,whohadsincebeendismissedonthataccount.’

(Itisinterestingtoobservethatthesimpleactionofcheckingthelengthofaropeevidentlyexceedsthelimitsofhumanprudence.)

`Hence,uponthecriminalbeingthrownoff,histoestouchedslightlythedropbelow.Thishoweverwascapableofbeingremediedinafewseconds;andthecarpentersinattendancewereimmediatelyputuponthatduty;andwhileintheactofremovingthedrop,themobthrewinashowerofstonesandwoundedseveralofthem.Thecriminalalsowaswoundedbyoneofthestones,totheeffusionofhisblood.Thepoliceofficersendeavouredtopreserveorder,

butafter-severalofthemhadbeenseverelywounded,theyweredriveninuponthemagistratesbythepressureoftheverygreatandunusualmultitudethathadassembled;andthewholepartywasthenforcedintotheadjoiningchurch.Meantimepartofthemobcontinuedtothrowstonesanddestroyednearlytwohundredpanesofglassofthechurches,whileanotherpartycarriedoffthebodyofthecriminal.Thepoliceofficersinreserve,havingnowcomeforward,clearedthestreetsandgotpossessionofthebody,whichwascarriedintothePoliceOffice,whereasurgeon,withoutanyorderfromamagistrate,openedavein…Bythistimeoneofthemagistrateshadgonetothecastle,andhadbroughtdownapartyofthemilitary,and,theapparatushavingbeenputup,itbecamethedutyofthemagistratestocarrythesentenceintoeffect,andaccordingly,withintheperiodmentionedinthesentence,thecriminalwasagainsuspended,andhungtillhewasdead.Hadthemobremainedquiet,insteadofofferingamostdaringoutragetothelawsoftheircountry,thecriminalwouldhavebeendeadinafewminutesafterhewasturnedoff.Ifthereforehehassufferedmorepainthanthelawintended,orifdecencywasinanywayshockedbytheappearanceofthecriminalwhencarriedtoandfromthegibbet(andnonecanregretitmorethanthemagistratesofthecity)theblamealonerestswiththosewhoofferedviolencetothemagistratesandtheirattendants.’

So,intonesthatweretobefamiliartosucceedinggenerationsoftheEdinburghcitizenry,themagistratesrecordedtheirentiresatisfactionwiththeirownperformance;consciousvirtuegrantedthemacompleteprotectionagainstanyobloquytheymighthaveattracted.Andtocapitall,theyofferedarewardoffiftyguineasfortheapprehensionoftheyoungmanwhohadcutdownthebody,thoughyoungMrMacbeanfoundit,`difficulttosaywhatcrimehecouldbeguiltyof’;andtheypaidtheChiefofPolice,CaptainBrownœ100,`forhisgreat

exertionsattheexecution’,thoughCivisEdinesisdeniedthathehadperformedanysuch,alleginginsteadthathestayed`sittinginhisownroom,inhisown

office,andthoughhehadareserveofbetweeneightyandninetyofthebestpolicemeninreserveintheCourtRoom,heremainedinactiveforbetweentwentyandtwentyfiveminutes,andneverventuredtoshowhisfacetillhewascertainthemilitarywereontheground….’

Thequestionofcourse,asalwaysinsuchcases,suggestsitselfwastheriotinfactunpremeditated?Thequantityofstonesfoundreadytohandmakesonewonder.Atanyrate,acitywheretheauthoritiesweresounpopularandsosupinecouldhardlybeunhealthyorinfertileforthecriminal;asyoungDavidHaggartwastodiscoverwithdelight.

OurmainsourceofinformationaboutHaggartisinevitablysuspect,foritistheautobiographyhecomposedwhileundersentenceofdeathintheCaltonJail.ThescepticalCockburnsaidthat`theconfessionsandthewholebookwereatissueofabsolutelies-andtheyhadalloneobject-tomakehimappearagreatervillainthanhewas’.Perhapsso;CockburnhadsomedirectknowledgeofHaggartandrathermoreindirectknowledgeoftheworldhehadfrequented.Perhaps,ontheotherhand,not;theAugustancontemptmayherebealittletoosweeping.CertainlyHaggart’sconfession,thoughprobablyexaggeratedinplacesandundoubtedlyarrangedtohisadvantage(butthenwhoseautobiographyisn’t-evenCockburn’sownMemorials?)yetpaintsapictureoftheunderworldthatcorrespondswellenoughwithwhatweknowfromothersources.Haggart’sownexploitsmaybeexaggerated,buthisworldringstrueenough.Ifhewasn’tanhonestautobiographer,thenhewasatleastanovelistwithsomethingofthedocumentaryauthorityofDefoe;anditwouldbeineffectmoreremarkabletofindthislittlebookaworkoftheimaginationthanifitiswhatitpurportstobe,amemoir;albeitdressedupandimprovedinthetelling.

Thebookdeservesanothercommenttoo,beforewepasstoanaccountofHaggart’scareer,anaccountthatwillperforcecontinuetodrawheavilyontheautobiography,acceptingitasbyandlargeauthentic.Itisaddressedtohissolicitoranditspurposeisplainenough;butthereisnosuggestionthathe,or

anyothereducatedman,hadahandinthewritingofit.Not

evenCockburnseemstodoubtHaggart’sauthorship,orfinditsurprisingYetsurelyitisstrangeenough.Haggarthadnorealschoolingaftertheageoftwelveorthirteen,andwhileheboaststhatinhisschooldayshewasalwaysduxinhisclass,onemightexpectthatitwasanachievementforoneofhisbackgroundtostruggleintoliteracy.Attheleastonewouldexpecthisstyletobeclumsyandshapeless,butitisinfactadmirablyclear,direct,andsometimesevenelegant.Forexample,hisreflectionsontheeffectofprisononyoungoffendersarenotonlystilltothepoint,butexcellentlyexpressed:

`Aprisonistheblackestandwickedestplaceintheworld.Manyapoorboyisbroughttothegallowsatlastbecausehisfirstoffenceispunishedbyimprisonment.Thisteacheshimevilways,whereasifhehadbeenwellfloggedandsenthometohisparents,hemighthaveturnedoutagoodman.Icannotsaymybadhabitswerelearnedinjail,butIamsuretheywereconfirmedthere.’

ThereisanantitheticalforceinthelastsentenceofwhichCockburnhimselfmightnothavebeenashamed.Ifstyleistheman,itisnotsurprisingthatHaggartappearsregularlytohavemadeanengagingimpression;thatishowhewritesalso.

Apartfromhisboastofbeingdux,hesayslittleabouthisschooldays,thoughheclaimsthathealwayssatisfiedhisteachers.Heprobablyknewhowtodoso;itisclearthathehadcharmenough,thatmostinsidiousofqualitieswhichsetsout,consciouslyorunconsciously,todisarmthemoraljudgement.Hepassesquicklytohisfirstcriminalexploits:thetheftofabantamhenfromanoldwidowinStockbridge,someshopliftinginthesamedistrict,andtherustlingofaponyfromafarmerinCurrietocarryhimandafriendhomefromatiringcountrywalk.Noneofthesetheftswasserious;noneofthembeyondtheordinaryrunofchildishmisdemeanour.Theyshowlittlemorethananadventurousspirit.ActuallyHaggartwasnotacquisitive.Whileundersentenceofdeath,hewasexaminedbyaphrenologist,GeorgeCombe,whopublishedhisreportandalso,boundwithit,therecordofan

interviewwithHaggartinwhichhisfindingswerediscussed.Itspurposewas,in

Combe’swords,`nottoindulgeinidlecuriosity,buttothrowlightuponthenaturaldispositionswhichparticularlyleadayoungmanintoasportingkindoflife’.Comberemarksdefensivelythat,`ithasbeenconceivedtobeananomalyinphrenologythatHaggartshouldbeaddictedtostealingwhentheorganofacquisitivenessisonlymoderateinsize’.Heneednothavefelttheneedforapology.Thetruethief-thethiefofHaggart’sstampatleast-isnotgreedyforpossessions;hedoesnotdesiretheobjectasanobject,asamisermaydesiregold,butratherasameans.Itiswhatenableshimtobetruetothepicturehehasofhimself.

David’schildishpranksseemtohavebeeneasilyforgiven.Allthathehastosayofhisparentssuggeststhattheyweredecent,lovingpeople,alwaysreadytoforgivetheirerrantson.Nodoubthereliedonthat.Allthesame,domesticitywasboring.Accordinglyheenlistedasadrummer-boyintheNorfolkMilitia,whowerethen(1813)stationedinLeith.Theuniformattractedhimandthepromiseofavariedlife.Disciplinehoweverproveddistastefulandhewashappytobedischargedthefollowingyear,andtoreturntohisfather’shome.Thenfollowedarespectableinterlude.HewasapprenticedtoCockburnandBlair,millwrightsandengineers,withwhomhe,workeduntilthefirmwentbankruptin1817.Heclaimstohavedonewellwiththem,tohaveenjoyedtrustandresponsibility:forinstancehewasallowedtocarrymoneytoandfromthebank.Thoughonecannotresistthespeculationofhowhislifemighthavedevelopedifthefirmhadremainedsolvent,itishardtoimaginehimcontentwithdullrespectability.Theattractionsofthesportinglife,hisimageofhimselfasafinefellow,wouldprobablyhaveprovedtoostrong.Atanyrate,CockburnandBlair’sBankruptcythrewhimoutofworkinayear,whentherewere1,600unemployedworkmenregistered,andengagedbytheCouncilinmakingtheroadsroundtheCaltonHillandtheSalisburyCrags;impossibletoimagineDavyHaggartasoneofsuchawork-gang.Inhisownwords,`toworkandbeaslavetomankind.Icouldneverthinkof’.

So,nowthathewasunemployed,herecordsthat,`inless

thanthreemonthsIfoundmyselfplungedinsuchastateofviceandwickednessthatmymindcouldnotsufferreflection’.Perhapsso;morelikelyhethoroughlyenjoyedit.Hisheadlonggallopofacareerhadbegun,asbitter-sweet-asJohnGay’sNewgatePastoral.

DavidHaggarthadenteredaworld,`wherestealingwasanactivitysocommonastobenothinglessthanbanal’.Theopportunitieswerelegion,thepickingsconsiderableandthechancesofdetectionatleastsufficientlylongforthepractitionertodiscountthem.Davidtooktothestreets,tocasualshopliftingandpickpocketingfirst.Probablynothingindicatestheprevalenceoftheftsoclearlyastheextentofthethieves’cantinwhichtheyconversed.WholeparagraphsofHaggart’sautobiographyarecompletelyincomprehensiblewithouttheaidofaglossary.`Pickingasuck’forinstance,`isakittlejob’;ontheotherhand`thekeekcloyiseasilypicked’,and`ifbluntgetsshy’youcanalwaystaketothe`boysandcoreing’.A`prig’shouldkeepaneyeopenfor`aconeishcove’andifheis`well-budged’,thejob’seasy.Ifyouseea`cove’witha‘lil’inhis`fam’,thenitshouldbeyours,unlessthe`topers’aretohand.EvenreaderssteepedintheromancesofGeorgetteHeyerwillbebaffledbytherichargot.

Therewasthenacriminalunderworldintowhichitwaseasytosink.Therewereboozing-kenswhereaprigcouldlieuporhousesofill-famewherehewouldbehailed,Macheathlike,asahero;andasforfencingthestuff,whyHaggartsometimesfoundthechoiceembarrassing.Henotesononeoccasionthathecouldn’trecallwherehehadfencedsomestolengoods,beingdrunkatthetime.Itmusthaveseemedsometimesasifalmosteverythinginvitedtheyoungmantotakeupthesportinglife.Itwasinthosetermsthathethoughtofit.Combereportsthat,`whenwealludedtohiscrimesincommonlanguage,hebecamesullenandceasedtoconverse.He,however,usedthephrase“thesportinglineoflife”himself;andwefoundthat,onouremployingit,heagainbecamecommunicative.’Itofferedeasymoney,excitementandgoodliving;`theloveofdressandcompanywasmymotive’,hesaid.Whenthealternativewasachoicebetweenlonglabori20

oustoilandstarvation,itisnotdifficulttounderstandhowabrightyoungsparklikeDavyHaggartshouldadoptthesportinglineoflife.

Thefirstweeksofhisnewcareerareworthfollowingindetail.Theysetthepatternfortherestofhisshortlife.Hewasquicklyestablishedasapickpocket,forwhichcallingheshowedanaturalaptitude.`Ihadtheill-lucktobebornlefthanded,andwiththieves’fingers,’heremarkswiththeutmostcomplacency,`formyforkswereequallylong,andtheyneverfailedme.’Foronewiththesetalents,racemeetingsandcountryfairs,wherepeoplewerefreewiththeir

money,andoftenwell-liquored,provedthenaturalhabitat.DavysoonmetwithayoungIrishman,BarneyMacGuire,afewyearsolderthanhimself,andexperiencedinthebusiness.Barneyandhebecamefastfriendsandpartners.

InAugusttheywenttogethertoPortobelloRaces,wheretheymadeœ11.Determinationofcomparativemoneyvaluesisalwaysdifficultandfrequentlyfutile;bothdifficultyandfutilityareexacerbatedwhenthesocietybeingconsideredshowsverymarkedgradationsinpersonalwealth.IntheearlynineteenthcenturytheEarlofDurhamcouldsay,`amancanjogalongonœ40,000ayear’,whileanagriculturallabourercountedhisweek’swageinshillings.CaptainGronowinhisincomparableReminiscencesandRecollectionsnotesthat,intheonlyhotelinLondon`whereyoucouldgetagenuineFrenchdinner…youwouldseldompaylessthanthreeorfourpounds;yourbottleofchampagneorofclaret,intheyear1814,costingyouaguinea.’SinceDavyandBarneywereaspiringtotheHigh-Liferatherthantomeresubsistence,Gronow’sfiguresmayseemmorerelevanttotheirdesiresthananoteonthepriceofbread.

ThePortobelloRacesmarkedthestartofatouroftheBordersandtheNorthofEngland.TheyheadedforJedburghandKelso,wheretheyclearedœ20attheStJames’sFair,thentoHawick,wheretheystayedattheBlackBull,andthence,bywayofLangholm,toDumfriesfortheRoodFair.Fortheboyuntilrecentlytiedtohisapprenticeship,respectabilityandlabour,itwasanexhilaratingchangeofpace.

AtDumfriestheystoleœ10inahosier’sshop.David’sown

descriptionisafairindicationoftheirhabitualeffrontery.Havingspiedamanwithwhowasseekingtochangeatenpoundnote,he`followedhimintoahosier’sshopintheHighStreet,whereheagainaskedforchange;theshopwasthrongandtheshopmansaidhewouldgiveitpresently.Heputthenoteinacarelessmannerintohiswaistcoatpocket,whenIwasstandingbyhimwithmyarmsacross,andinthatpositiontouchedhimofhisscrieve(banknote).Iimmediatelyaskedtheshopmanthepriceofsilkstockings,whichwereinthewindow.Hisanswerwas“thepriceismarkedonthem,sir.”Thiswasthebestanswerintheworldforme.Iwentouttosee,butmissedmywayback.IdidnotinformyoungMacGuireofthisprize;butBarneyandIshareditwithœ4ofthesmashtakenbyhim.’

YoungMacGuirewasBarney’sbrother,whohadrecentlyjoinedthem.TherelationsbetweenDavidandBarneymaybefairlyjudgedbytheirexclusionoftheyoungMacGuirefromashareintheprofits.Theywerebothreadytocheattheirconfederates,butDavidwasalsopreparedtotakerisksonBarney’sbehalf.Histoneiswarmandsincerewheneverhespeaksofhim;DavidandJonathanalsoran.

Dumfrieswasdangeroushowever,becauseofBarney’srecord.`Wewerenotinsafetytobeseenatthisplace,astheMacGuireswerewell-knownbyJohnRichardson(amostrespectablesheriff-officerfromDumfries)whomwesuspectedwasattheFair.’RichardsonflitsthroughDavid’sstory,oneofthosepersistent,doggeddetectivesonemeetsinnineteenthcenturynovels:likeWilkieCollins’SergeantCuff,orInspectorBucketinBleakHouse,hehadnomethodbutaterrier’s.HispresencewassufficientlyalarminghowevertopersuadeBarneytokeeptotheirinnroom.Despitethis,thereweregoodpickingsatDumfries:Davygotœ23offadrunkenfarmer.(Suchunhappymenwereamonghismostfrequentvictims.Indeedifotherpickpocketsmetwithcomparablesuccess,asseemslikely,thephrase`agriculturaldepression’takesonanewmeaning.Badharvestswerenotnecessarilytheworstofit.)

LangholmFair,whithertheynextproceeded,wastoprovideoneoftheirmostnotablecoups.YoungMacGuirespot22

tedtheirchosenvictim-‘aconeishcove(gentleman)withagreatswellinhissuck.Hehadseenhimwiththelilinhisfam.andhewassuretherewerehundredsinit’.Itwasanopportunitynottobeletslip.Davywenttoitwithawillandadmirablespeedofhand.Hegotœ201,andtheycheatedyoungMacGuireofhisfairshareyetagain.Thiswasindeedthelife.`IneverwashappierinmylifethanwhenIfingeredallthismoney;butIthoughtaboutitsoreafterwardswhenIwasillandliketodie.’Suchrepentance,briefwhenitcame,castnoshadowonpresentpleasure.Howeverwithinhalfanhourofthecoup,theysawthepersistentRichardson`runningabout’.Itwastimetobeoff;nothingafterallcouldexplaintheirwealthbutthetruth.Fortunatelyitenabledthemtotravellikegentry.Theyorderedapost-chaiseandsetoffforCarlisle.

Therefollowedthesortofinterludethatwastherewardoftheirprofession;fourweeksinwhichtheycouldlivelikethebucks,swellsordandiestheysaw

themselvesasbeing.Theypassedthemorningsriding,theirafternoonsandeveningsgamingandoccasionallytookinadance.Itwasaprovincialversionofthelifeledbytheirsocialsuperiors,theCorinthiansthemselves.Barneyofcoursewasadabhandatallthis,an`excellentcard-player’,Davyassuresus;`tohimIamindebtedforthegreatproficiencyIafterwardsarrivedatintheuseofcards,diceorbilliards.’Butunlikethegentrytheyaped,BarneyandDavidwerebusinessmen,withacallingtofollow.Moneysoonranthroughtheirhands.Stockshadtobereplenished.Pleasure,thecriminalsoonrealises,hastobepaidfor.Thistimetheyreceivedacheck,thefirstofyoungDavid’scareer.Anattempted`snib’intheRickergatefailed.Worse,theyarousedthesuspicionoftheauthorities,whomustalwayshavekeptawaryeyeonsuchnewcomerstothetownasflashedmoneyabout,hadnoobvioussourceofincome,didnowork,andcouldnot-whatevertheirpretensions-qualifyasgentry.BarneyandDavidfoundthattheconstableshadtakenpossessionoftheirportmanteauxandawaitedthemattheirinn.Nodoubttheyweretobeaskedtoassistwithinquiries.Itwasadistastefulnotionandtheywerenaturallyreluctant;itwastimetoevaporate.Theydidso,makingnoefforttosalvagetheirgoods.Easycome,afterall,

easygo.Theylefttownatonce,pausingonlytoreplenishtheirwardrobes,`bilkingandfleecingamerchant-tailor’.NextstopwasKendalFair,`oneofthefinesthorse-markets

inEngland’.Herea`deeker’attemptedtoqueertheirpitch.Muchtotheirirritation,theyfoundthemselvescompelledtoposeasbonaridehorsedealers,andevenbuyahorsetodivertsuspicionfromtheirrealactivities.Theysolditalmostatonce.Lessskilledinthissortofbusinessthanintheirchosenavocation,theydroppedfiveshillingsonthedeal.Thelosswasshort-lived.Revertingtotheirproperrole,theythenrobbedthebuyerandfoundthemselvesintheendœ43tothegood.ContinuingtheirroundoftheNorthernFairstheyproceededtoMorpeth,wheretheyfoundadealofcriminalcompetition,butwheretheresourcefulBarneyfleecedagangofprigsfromYork.

Theyfeltentitledagaintotherewardofleisure,andestablishedthemselvesinNewcastle,takingprivatelodgingsinCastleStreetasJohnWilsonandJamesAtkinson,gentlementravellingforpleasure.Theirstandingwasevident,atleastintheirowneyes:`greatswellswithourwhite-capedcoats.topbootsand

whips’.Thelandladyhadthreedaughters,`verypleasantgirls’,saysDavidcomplacently,andwiththemtheypassed`ajollyChristmasDay,1817’.

Hehadbeeninbusinessjusteightmonths.

OnenightintheNewYeartheytookthegirlstothetheatre,whereBarney,moreexperiencedandalwaysmindfulthattheyhadtoworkinordertocontinuetoliveintheirchosenstyle,proposedatheft.Davidrepliedthat,`itmightbedoneifitwerenotfortheblones’(girls).ItwasthereforeagreedthatheshouldoccupythemwhileBarneyliftedtheloot.Itwasworthœ70,butthisdidnotdefraytheirNewcastleexpensesbyœ14.Theythereforeresortedtoburglary,anewdepartureforDavidbutnotforBarney.Inthecourseofthejobtheytiedupthemasterofthehouse,butburglaryhaddangersthattheirnormalpursuitslacked.Unlessapickpocketisactuallyidentifiedintheinstanthecommitshiscrime,orfoundwiththestuffonhim,detectionisdifficult;allthatcanusuallybesaidisthathewasinthecrowd,inthevicinity.Andthenatureofacrowdissuchthatthiscanbesaidofmany

others.Burglaryhoweveradmitstoamorepositiveidentification,especiallywhenyouhavehadtotieupwitnesses.DavidandBarneywerebothapprehendedwithindays.‘Unfortunately,’saysDavid(rashlyorstupidly,onemayratherthink)theywerewearingthesameclothesinwhichtheyhadcommittedtheburglary.TheywerecarriedofftoDurham,triedandreturnedtoprisontoawaitsentenceofdeathattheendoftheassizes.

Fortunatelyearlynineteenthcenturyjailswerenotsohardtoescapefrom.Thebuildingswerefrequentlyoldandinpoorrepair,theturnkeysagedalso,drunken,corruptandincompetent.Barney,Davidandsomeotherprisonersinthesameunhappyconditionsettoworkonthewalloftheircell.Interruptedbyaturnkey,whoseslumbersthenoisehaddisturbed,theyseizedhim,`tookthedubs,andboundandgaggedhim’.Theygainedthebackyardandscaledthewall.BybadluckBarneyandanotherprisonerfellbackafterreachingthetop,and,thehueandcryhavingbeenraised,wererecaptured.

HerehowevertheamiableelementofDavid’scharacterrevealsitself.HeatonceorganisedBarney’sescape.Itwouldhavebeeneasytohaveshruggedhisshouldersandsaid,`well,that’sthewayoftheworld’.Notatall;atsome

personalriskhegothimout,perhapskillingofapolicemaninthecourseoftheaction.`WhetherIhavehismurdertoanswerfor,Icannottell,butIfearmyaimwastrueandthepoorfellowlookeddeadenough.’Ifso,itprobablysatlightlyenoughonhisconscience.Itisdifficulttoplacemuchvalueonanother’slife,whenyouholdyourowncheap.

Theescapewasvainenough,forafteranothertouroftheBorders,Barneywasagainarrested.StilllegalliaisonwassopoorthathewasnotidentifiedastheperpetratoroftheDurhamburglary,whoshouldhavebeenawaitingsentenceofdeath,andinfacthereceivedonlythreemonths’imprisonment.ThedisconsolateDavidreturnedtoNewcastleandhisoldlodgings,whereheamusedhimselfwithhisworthylandlady’sdaughters,anddidnotworktilltheSpring,`havingbeentolerablysuccessfulingambling’.ThisassociationinNewcastleappearstohavebeentheonlyrespectableoneofhisadultlife.Pleasantthoughitwas,itprovidedinitscosyand

teasingdomesticity,nosubstitutefortheglamourandthrillsofaction.Intheearlysummerof1818DavidreturnedtoEdinburgh.

NaturallyhefoundlodgingsintheOldTown,firstonthesouthsideoftheGrassmarket.Hewasnowafully-fledgedmemberofhisprofession,andassuchwasquicklyabsorbedinadenseyetmultifarious,fraternity.Therhythmofhislifewasestablished.Itwasoneofshortstopsandsuddenaidtoidentification.TheremusthavebeenmanywhoknewHaggartwellenough.Edinburghwasstillasmallcity,evenmoresoingeographythaninpopulation-andthehandsomeredheadedboy,stillonlyeighteen,wasnotsomeoneeasilyignored.Yetthefraternitycouldabsorbhimeasily.Therewasnothingfixedorformalaboutitofcourse;ithadnolimits.Thecheaplodging-house,theboozingkenandthebrothelwerenoteasilydistinguishedfromeachother;theywereallpartofDavid’sworld,aworldwherehehadalsoinnumerableassociatesandcasualpartners.Oneexamplewillsuffice,hisencounteronedaywithGeorgeBagrieandWilliamPaterson,afortuitousmeetingwhichrevealsveryclearlysomethingofthenatureoftheirsociety.Theywere,inDavid’sdisdainfulwords,`verywillingbutpoorsnibs’.Davidcameuponthemwhentheywerewith`alushycove’onwhomtheyweregoingtowork`inaveryfecklessmanner’.Irritatedbytheirevidentincompetence-perhapstheywereaspotlushythemselves,alwaysanoccupationalhazardwhensomuchtimewasspent

waitingforprospectivevictimstoattainasuitablestateofinebriation-heintervened,carriedoutthejobontheirbehalf,andthenproceededwiththemtoahouseonSouthBridge,keptbyMissGray,acelebratedMadame;forrefreshmentofonekind,orseveral.

Thesecrimeswereallsmallbeer,pickpocketingorshopliftingforthemostpart.Therewasalwaysamarketforwatches.andclothes,andnumerousfencesreadytoaccommodatethethief,whowasthussparedtheembarrassmentofhavingthegoodslonginhispossession.Davidwaswiseenoughtoringthechangesofhisfences.Itwasamistake-asadmirersofTheBeggar’sOperawillbeaware-forthethieftoputhimselfinthepowerofafence,whomightfinditexpedienttoshophim.

Normallythefencewouldpayabout25%ofthevalueofgoods.Davidstolesurprisinglyoftenfromdrapersandhosiers,andnotmerelywhenhewantedsomethingnicetogiveagirl,butasamatterofpolicy.Therewasclearlyagooddemandforthestuff.Thisissomethingthethiefsoonlearns:totakewhatwillfindareadymarket.Inthisrespectheisabusinessmanlikeanyother.Nomorepointinstealingwhatisoutoffashionthaninwritingfiveacttragediesinblankverse;inneithercasewillitgo.AmongthefencesDavidusedwereBillyCookintheCalton(justbelowthejail)andJohnJohnstoneinCrosscauseway.TherewereagoodmanyJohnstonesorJohnstons,apartfromtheunfortunatetwice-hangedRobert,engagedincriminalactivitiesinthecityatthattime;itwasasiftheBorderreivershadmovednorthandretainedtheiroldmorality.Davylodgedwithoneforabit,andhadatanothertimeagirl-friendcalledjeanJohnston,withwhom,inoneofhislesscrediblestories,heclaimedoncetohaveeffectedthereleaseofsomeprisoners:`wenttothelockupshop,andhavingpliedthekeeperwithplentyofbudge,Itookthekeyandletoutsixoftheprisoners’.

Asadiversionfromcitylife,thereweretripsoutoftown,totheautumnracesatPerthforexample.ThemorningcoachfromPrincesStreetallowedthetravellertodothejourneyinlessthanaday,arrivinginPerthaboutfourintheafternoon.Perthwasagoodtownfortheprofession,astraditionalbordertownsusuallyare,andDavidfoundfarmers,venturingsouthoftheHighlandLine,regularprey.Itwasagoodcentretoofordaytripstolocalfairs-DunkeldandKenmoreforinstance-andforvisitstoDundeeandlongertripsupthecoast,asfarasAberdeen.ItbecameinfacthissecondScottishhome.Wheneverhefeltbored,

orperhapsabitcloselyoverwatchedinEdinburgh,hetookalittletriptoPerth.Itwasthereheonce,withhisfriendDrBlack,agreeablylightenedthepunishmentthatsomecolleaguesinthefraternitywereduetoreceive.Thesewretcheshadbeensentencedtobewhippedthroughthetown(‘cooredthroughtheYou’inHaggart’scant-clearlyFrench-derived,thisexpression).TheDoctor,aburlyandresoucefulcriminal,joinedwithDavidingettingholdofthehangmanwhosejobitwastolayonthe

whip.Theypliedhimwithliquorandthenthreatenedhimthat`ifhewassevereonthem,wewoulddarkenhim’.Itistheoldtechnique,familiarfromahundredBFeaturemovies:soften‘emup,treat‘emrough.

TherewerealwaysgoodfriendsinPerth.Towardstheendofhiscareer,whenhisluckseemedtoberunningout,hecouldstillfindsafetythere.Approachedinhislodgingsonce,hewasabletofoboffthepolicebyadoptingahightone,whichhislandlordwashappytosupport.`What’syourname?’`That’saveryrudequestiontoaskofanygentleman.’Ifheistobebelieved-anditmustbeconfessedthatthisisonestorywhereReasonpromptsagreementwithCockburn’sscepticism-.thiswassufficienttocheckthepolice;David’slandlordthenassuredthemthathewasarespectablegentlemanwhoalwayspaidhisbillsintime(asofcourseprudentcriminalsdo,atleastintherightquarters),andtheatmospherebecamesufficientlyrelaxedtoallowhimtoslipoutofthebackdoorto`oneofthemostprofligatehousesintown’,wherenaturallyhewasperfectlysafe,andremainedtillitwastimetoresumebusinessatGlamisFair.

Hehadhisoddmomentsofrepentance,generallywheninpoorhealth.Thenhewouldpromisehisparentstoremainwiththemandresumetrade.Thepromisesweremadeinfaithandsincerity.Onlysomehow,whenthefearofdeathreceded,hisnaturallyblithespiritre-asserteditself;thecontrastbetweendrabrespectabilityandthepleasuresandexcitementofthesportinglifewastoomarked.`WhenIrecovered,allthoughtsofrepentancesoonleftmymind.’Still,foratimeatleast,itwasusefultohaveparentswhocouldprovideabaseforconvalescenceandarespectablealibialso.Thisissomethingprofessionalcriminalsareusuallyswifttolearn:thevalueofsafehouses.

Davidhoweverwastoofulloflevitytosetapropervalueonthis,justashesoonneglectedtheoldrulethatthefoxdoesnotrobinhisownbackyard.Insteadhe

workedharderandfasterinEdinburghandLeiththananywhereelse.InFebruary1820forexamplehecommittedtencrimesineightdaysinLeith;nowonderthatheshouldhavedecidedthatthetownwas`aprettygoodplaceforafewadventures’.Hisspeciality

therewashousebreaking.`IgenerallyenteredthehousesinLeithbyforcinginthesmallwindowabovetheouterdoors.Thiswasaninventionofmyown,butitisnowsocommonthatImentionittoputfamiliesontheirguard.’

Hisrateofcriminalactivitywassogreatthathisluckwasboundtorunout.CaptainRossoftheLeithPolicehadhiseyeonhim.Nodoubttherewassomebodyreadytoinform.Inthosedays,beforethearrivalofscientificaidstodetection,thepolicewereevenmoredependentoninformersthantheyarenow.CaptainBrownoftheEdinburghPolicemadethisquiteclear,defendinghisestablishmentofasecretfundtobuyinformation.Fewcriminalsindeedwouldhavebeenconvictedonlythosecaughtred-handedorwiththeproceedsoftheirrobberyonthem-butfortheexistenceofthisusefulanddespisedbodyofmen.

RossandhisconstablesapprehendedHaggartinhislodgingsinJohnstonStreet,NorthLeith.Heputupastruggle,andiskindenoughinhisMemoirstocommendthe‘humanity’displayedbySergeantThorninthecourseofthearrest.Haggart’scareershowsclearlyenoughhowpoliceandcriminalshad,andstillhave,muchincommon.Itwasn’tonlyinfictionthatthief-catchersandthievestalkedthesamelanguage,alanguagethatoftenexcludedthosenotimmediatelyconcernedwithcriminalactivity.AndHaggartkeptmeetingthesamepolicemen-CaptainBrownandRossaswellasthepersistentJohnRichardson.Clearlytheyhadalsonumerousacquaintanceincommonwhowerereadyenoughtotipeithersidethewink,asseemedmostexpedient.

ThistimehoweverDavidbrokeoutofLeithjailandimmediately`wentuponthehoysandgotabouttwelveyardsofsuperfinebluecloth’.Thiswasn’tthefoolishorincorrigibleactitmightfirstappear.DavidhadresolvedprudentlytogetoutofEdinburghforatime;thejourneyhadtobefinanced,andtherewasnoothermeansofdoingso.HewasofftotheBordersagain,headingforDumfriesbywayofacattleshowatKelso.InDumfrieshewasdelightedtocomeuponBarneyagain,buthistimethejoywasshort-lived,BarneybeingsnatchedbytheubiquitousandtirelessRichardson.Hisluckwasfinallyexhausted.Hegot,`a

freepassagetoBotanyBay

forafourteenstretch.Hewasachoicespiritandagoodfriendtome.Wespentmanyajoyousmerryhourtogether,forIhadnothoughtandnosorrowtillIlostBarney.’Theelegaicnoteisirresistible.

Thepacecouldnotlast.Davidhimselfwassooncapturedagain,andhadnolongertheadvantageofanonymity.Insteadhehadrisentothestatusofawantedman.ThistimehecouldnothopeforamerebriefspellofimprisonmentsuchasanearlieronewhenCaptainBrownhadsenthimtoThePlantingforfourmonths.(Hehadbeenputinchargeoftheyoungprisonersthere-`IhadaropeforpunishingthemandIneversparedtheuseofit’,herecords,anotewhichdoescredittohishonesty(orlackofimagination)ratherthanhishumanity).Thistimetheyweredeterminedtomakeanendofhim;dealwithhimonceandforall.Hehadbecomeawell-knownnuisance.HewascommittedtotheCaltonjail,andindictedtostandtrialattheHighCourtofjusticiaryforoneactofhousebreaking,elevenactsoftheftandoneactofprisonbreaking.Headmittedhisguilt,havingnohopeofacquittal,butwithsomeoptimism:theadmissionmightmitigatehissentence.However,asithappened,therewerestillmorechargestoanswerandhewasindictedtostandtrialatthenextDumfriesCircuit,forthebusinessinwhichhehadbeenconcernedthere.Thebillswerecomingin.

Hetriedtoescapeontheway,butwasfoiled.Notdespairinghowever,hedeterminedtobreakjail.Hedidnotanticipatedifficulty.Hemadehisplans,andhadeverythinginhandforanescapeonhisown,whenotherprisoners,withsimilarideasinmind,involvedhimintheirplan.Ashegrandlyremarks,`havingthus,asIthought,securedmyownliberty,bygettingeverythingreadyforastart,inawaywhichnonecouldprevent.IwastooeasilyengagedinanotherschemewithDunbar.AsIconsideredmyselfsafe,Ididnotmuchcarewhetherwesucceededornot;butIthoughtitwouldbeafinethingtomakeacleansweepofthequoad(jail)’.

Thiswaseitherconceitorsheergood-nature,eitherway,itwasafataldecision.Hisassociates’planwassimpleintheextreme.Theywouldgetholdofastone,tieitupinacloth,andstriketheturnkeyonthehead.Theywouldthenfindit

easytoremovethekeysandreleasealltheprisoners.NoplancouldmorecompletelyexposetherudimentarysecuritysystemofRegencyjails.Itwasofcoursepreposterous;nothingsoelementarycouldpossiblywork;theremust,onewouldthink,havebeensomeotherprecautions.Onewouldbewrong;thereweren’tanditdid.

ItwasanillsuccessforDavid.Hehaddeploredtheplan,originallysayingthat,ifheshouldgethisliberty,hewouldneverstrikethesergeantorturnkeyforit.NeverthelessitwasDavidwhoheldthebagwiththestone,Davidwhostrucktheturnkey(thesergeanthadgonetotheRaces),Davidwhorifledthekey,Davidinshortwholedtheescape.Vanityandconceitforbadehimtotakesecondplace,eveninaplan,notofhisdevising,whichwassupplantingafarsaferoneofhisown.Onecanonlyconcludethattosomeextenthewilledhisowndestruction.

Forsuchitwastobe,Byillluck,almostcertainlynotbydesign,theturnkeywaskilled.WithoneblowDavidhadadvancedhisstatusfrompettythiefandpickpockettokiller.ThetenaciousRichardson,inwhoseterritorythecrimehadbeencommitted,resolvedtohunthimdown.

AnoteofpanicentersDavid’saccount.Forthefirsttime,itseems,hefeltthedangerandisolationofhisposition.Henceforth,heisnolongerinchargeofhislife;heisamarkedman;asmuchthehuntedasthehunter.Itwasnotofcoursetheconsciousnessofguiltthatmadethechange.True,heaffectsapityforthewretchedturnkey,andaregretforthedeed,thatcontraststronglywiththenonchalancewithwhichhedescribedthepossiblekillingofapolicemanintheDurhamescape.Yettherealpityisnotdirectedoutwards,butathimself.Heisshockedbytherealisationthatamoment’sunthinkingandquiteavoidableactionshouldhavebroughthimtothispitch.Hewaslearningwhatthecriminalmindwouldalwaysprefertoignore:thatactionshaveconsequences.

Hewasontherunnow,twistingandturninglikeahare,knowingthateveryman,evenmembersofthefraternity,wasreadytoturnhimin.(Perhapsthequalificationshouldbewithdrawn;murderersarealwaysregardedasbadnewsincriminalcircles,ifonlybecausetheystimulatepoliceactiv31

ity.)Dumfries,Carlisle,Newcastle,hetwistedhiswayalongtheBorder.He

determinedtoreturntoScotland,`asIknewtheywouldneversuspectmeofgoingthere,whereIwassowellknown’,hesays,displayingthesamefallaciouscleversillyreasoningthatPoeexhibitedinThePurloinedLetter.Itisrarelyasintelligenttodotheobviousintheexpectationthattheobviouswillnotbeanticipatedasingeniouscriminalsmayimagine.Thepolice,stolidratherthaninspired,willcompetentlycovertheobvious.Acriminal’sbolt-holeswillnotescapeinvestigationbecauseofsomefancifultheorythattheyaretoowellknownforhimtouse.SomethingofthismayhaveoccurredtoDavid,for,uncertainofhislogic,hehesitatedaweekinBerwick,duringwhichtimehewatchedthearrivaloftheEdinburghcoaches,hiseyewaryforpoliceofficers.Findingnonearrive,heresolvedtoreturntoEdinburghitself.Itwasafterallhome,theburrowtowardswhichtheinstinctofthehuntedanimaldirectedhim.

HetravelledthitherwithMrWiperswhomhemetatDunbar.MrWipers,astrangertothecityandwithnoacquaintancethere,tookafancytoDavyandimportunedhimwithrequestsforhiscompany.Hepressedhimwithinvitationsforwalks,forthetheatre,fortavernevenings;but,`Ialwayspretendedtobeunwell’.MrWiperspersisted.EventuallyDavygaveway-possiblyMrWiperswasaskingawkwardquestions,possiblyDavidwasbored.HecontinuedhowevertoexerciseunwontedprudenceandselectedMrsMackinnon’sonSouthBridgeastheirrendezvous,notoriousasthelivelistofthecity’snumeroushousesofill-fame.MrsMackinnonherselfwastofollowDavytothescaffoldwithinafewyearsforstabbinganofficerwhosecustomhadprovedunsatisfactory.ItwasthereforeahousewhereDavycouldfeelsafeamongfriends,eveninhisunprecedentedlynervouscondition.

Itpassedoffsmoothly,withoutincident.MrWipersleftthecity,butDavidcontinuedtolielow,quittinghislodgingsonlybynight,andeventhen,intheadditionalsecurityoffemaledisguise.Ononesuchexpeditionheencounteredhispoorfatherwhofailedtorecognizehissondressedin`blones’twigs’.Nodoubtthatwasjustaswell;therewasenoughto

distresshimalready.

Stillsuchcautionbecomeswearisome.Davidwassoonabletoconvincehimselfthatthechasewascooling.Itwasafterallinconvenientandboringtolivelikethis.Itwassurelysafetoresumethenormalcourse.Suchself-deception,

allowing`whatwouldbe’torepresent`whatis’,iscommonenoughofcourse;itisthoughahabitofthoughttowhichthecriminalmind,withitsinherenttendencytosolipsism,ispeculiarlygiven.

Davidhoweverwassoondisillusioned.

Hemadeavisit-abusinessvisitofcourse,foracriminalmuststealtolive-tohisoldhauntsinLeith.Therehewasunluckyenough-yetitwasofcoursethesortofluckthatmight,inthecircumstanceshavebeenanticipated-tocomefacetofacewitholdadversary,CaptainRoss.Theywerenomorethantenyardsapart.`Musteringupmypluck,Iplungedmyfamintomysuck’(myhandintomypocket),asifforapop(agun).ThecautiousCaptain,whoknewmetoowelltoengagemewhilealone,tooktohisheels.’

ItwouldbeinterestingtohaveCaptainRoss’sversion;yetDavy’s,WalterMittyishthoughitcertainlyis,couldbetrueenough.Atanyratethisencounter,orsomesimilaralarm,wasenoughtopersuadehimitwastimetogetoutagain.Now,thathewaspositivelyknowntobebackinEdinburgh,nowhereinthecitywassafe.Itisdoubtfulifthewretchedboyhadanyonehecouldrelyon;itwastoolatetogobacktohisparents.Thosedays,whentheirhomecouldaffordsanctuary,wereover.Hehadadvancedbeyondbeingasuspiciouscharacterwhomthelawwouldliketokeepaneyeon;insteadhewaswelland-trulyontherun.

HemadeforFifeatonce,takingapassageinafishing-boatfromFisherrowandlandingatSiller-Dykes(themodernCellardyke,avillagewhichadjoinsAnstruther.)Hismovementswereagitatedandapparentlyrandom.HeheadedforDundee,whereherobbedajewellerandpickedapocketinacrowd,thencetoCupar,Kinghorn,BurntislandandbacktoNewhavenandEdinburgh.Helackedabase,couldonlykeepmovingandmovedwithoutpurpose.TherewasnowhereasdangerousasEdinburgh;yet`Icouldnotkeepmyselfaway’.

Eventheautobiographycanhardlyhidehisagitation.Whatwashetodo?

Thefirstthinghesawonreturnwasabillposted,whichofferedarewardofseventyguineasforhisapprehension.Oncehemighthavebeenflattered.Nowthethoughtuppermostinhismindwastherealisationthatnoneofhismanyacquaintancesinthecitycouldbetrustednottoshophimforthatprice.Safe

houseswereathingofthepast.

Leith-Kinghorn-Dundee-Perth-thejourneyingswereresumed.Therewasatleastsafetyofmindinmovement;anythingwasbetterthanwaiting.Andofcoursetherewasworktobedone.HefoundPerthilluminatedfortheQueen’sacquittal;thatofferedgoodpickings,andthereisanappropriateironyinDavy,thischaracteristicfigureoftheRegencyunderworld,feedingoffacrowdwhichhadassembledtoproclaimtheirdetestationoftheRegentwhowasnowGeorgeIV.

Forafewweeksheresumedhisoldstyleoflife,thoughfearwaseverwithhimandtheoldblithenesswasneverquiterecaptured.Therewerenomoreperiodsofidlenessandfineliving.Dunkeld-Perth-Dundee-KenmoreFair-CuparFair-ArbroathFairandbacktoPerthagain.Alittlebitofbusinesshere,alittlebitthere.NowcamethemomentalreadyreferredtowhenheonlyjustescapedcaptureinhisPerthlodgings.Thechangeinhisstyleoflife,theaccelerationofhismovements,suggestswhatonemightsurmisewithoutanyevidence:that,asawantedman,hewashavingtopaymoreforhislodgings,tobuyeventhemosttemporaryandshort-livedsecurity.

Evenso,thereweregoodmoments,anexploitatGlamisFairforexample,whichreadslikeacomicoperadryrunforoneofthemostcelebratedincidentsinStevenson’s`WeirofHermiston.’

`TowardseveningIspiedafarmerplankarunlayofscreavesinhiskeekcloyandIdeterminedtohavethemifpossible.Isoonaftersawhimmounthisprad,andwatchingthewayhewent,Iimmediatelygotmypradandfollowedhim,accompaniedbyEdgymountedbehindmeand

asnib,namedSmith,onfoot.Ongettingupwiththefarmer,wefoundthatothertwohadjoinedhim.Smithobjectedtomakeanattack,Edgyjoinedhim….Havingpartedwiththesecowards,Ifollowedupmyprey,andIsoonobservedmymanstoptowaterhishorseatasmallburn;Igotalongsideofhim,andveryunceremoniouslyplungedintohiskeekcloyandbroughtthebluntupwithme,andbeforehehadtimetochallengeme,Ihithimaverysmartblowovertheheadwiththebuttendofmywhip,whichsethimoffatfullgallopandIatnoless...’

Actioncouldstilldriveoutanxiety,butthecoursecouldnotlast.Anewdeparturewasnecessary,andatriptoGlasgowsuggestedtheanswer:hemightgiveIrelandago.

Thecrossingwasnotentirelywithoutincident.Hewasalittledisturbedtofindhimselfbeingregardedwithsuspicionbyoneofthepassengers,whoturnedouttobeProvostFergusofKirkcaldy.TheProvosthadalmostcertainlyseenthepostersanditisalittlesurprisingthathecontentedhimselfwithstaring.Possiblyhehadurgentbusinessandknewhowanyattempttoassistthepolicecouldcausedelay.AtanyratehedidnothingandDavyhadanothertemporaryreprieve.

Irelandrestoredhisspiritsatonce.Inthosedays,longbeforethegreatfamineoftheeighteen-forties,itseemedabustlinggo-aheadplace,with,significantly,moretoofferaladofhisprofessionthanScotlandhad.`Paddyland’,hesays,`isthelandforpickpockets,lotsofmoney,oceansofdrink’(itisofcoursesomucheasiertorobamanwellinliquorthanonesoberlyvigilantandknocking-downpell-mell-thenisthetimetoworkawayatthebusiness.Englandistoomuchhunted,andthereisnomoneyinScotland’.

Heembarkedthereforeonawildflingofcrimeandrevelrythattookhimonamadgallopthroughthecountry.YetallthetimehewasinIrelandthehuntwascatchinguponhim,fortheworthyProvostFergushadindeedhadsecondthoughts,andhadwrittentoDumfriesreportinghissuspicions,amethodofprocedurethathadtheadvantageforhimofdisruptinghisownactivitiesnotatall.Davidcouldonlyreflectlaterthatithadbeenafortunatemeansofproceedingforthe

Provost.`ItwaswellformethatIdidnotknowhissuspicionsatthetime,forhewentonshoreinblacknight,andIcouldeasilyhaveputhimunderthewave.’WellfortheProvosttoo.Stilltheinformationthuslaidtooktimetocatchup,andDavywasabletoenjoyhisrevelryinhisfools’paradise.

Herobbedpigdroversandgamblers,losingononeoccasionahundredpoundsbecausehewastoocarelesstosearchabundleoflettersproperly.HesurvivedinformationlaidagainsthimbyoneRobertPlatt,formerlyaninmateofDumfries.HewaspostedintheDublinpaperHueandCry,spentœ190ona

month’stripwithacoupleofgirlsbyjaunting-carthroughFermanagh,CavanandDerry,movedbetweenDublinandBelfastfollowingthefairsandracemeetings,wasarrestedandreleased,beatupapolicespyandwashimselfattackedbyapigdroverbrandishingashillelagh-heshowedgreatenergyinexactinganapologyfromthisman.Allinallhelivedaviolent,crowded,helter-skelterlife;therecouldbenodoubtthatthepacewashotterinIreland,wherethedrinkflowedevenmorefreelythaninScotlandandwhereeverymanwasquicktopullashillelaghtoavengeafanciedinsult.

Still,Davidresolvedtomoveon,firsttoFrance,thenperhapstoAmerica.However,whenonthepointoftakinghispassage,heheardofafairtobeheldthenextdayatClough.Inevitably,he`resolvedtoattendandpractisemyprofessionforthelasttimeintheBritishdominions.’Anill-fatedresolve;hewasarrestedonachargeofpickingapocket,andconfinedinDownpatrickjail.

Atfirstthiswasnottoobad.Therewassoonaprisonriot.Theybrokethroughtothewomen’squartersandbarricadedthemselvesin,indulgingforthreedaysinanorgythatinretrospectshockedevenDavid.AtlasttheauthoritiesrestoredorderandDavidwasbroughttotrial.ItgavehimapooropinionofIrishjustice.`IhavebeentwicetriedformylifeinScotland’,hewrote.`ThefirsttimeIgotmorethanjustice,forIwasacquitted.ThesecondtimeIgotjustice,forIwasconvicted.ButinIrelandIgotnojusticeatall;foratDownpatricktherewasnonetospeakformebuttheJudge,andhespokeagainstme.’

Bethatasitmay,hewasremandedtoKilmainhamjail,

wherehisopinionofIrishjusticedidnotimprove.Thereweretwobeautifulgirlsthere,murderesses,and,whenwithinnocentandsunnygoodnature.Davidattemptedtospeaksomewordsofcomforttothem,hefoundhimselfclappedinanironhelmet,soconstructedthathecouldnotmovehistongueandwasthereforeconstrainedinsilence.Itwasnotwhathewasaccustomedto,notthislifeofwaiting,withnothingtodobutcontemplatetheanticsofaninsaneprisoner,condemnedforhavingskinnedahorsealive.

Atlastthepurposeofthedelaywasmadeclear.LookingoutofhiscellwindowhesawJohnRichardsoncrosstheyard.TheinformationlaidbyProvostFergushaddoneitswork.David’snumberwasup.Obstinatelyherefusedatfirsttoface

thefacts,maintaininghisIrishidentityanddenyingthathehadeverbeeninScotland.Itwasallinvain.Richardsonknewhimtoowelltobedeceived,andwasdeterminedthatthistimehispreyshouldnotescape.Elaborateprecautionsweretakentoguardagainstthispossibilityonthereturnjourney.

`Anironbeltwasfixedroundmywaist,withmywristspinionedtoeachsideofit;achainpassedfromthefrontofthebeltandjoinedthecentreofachain,eachendofwhichwaspadlockedroundmyankle,andachainpassedfromeachwristtoeachankle.’Trussedlikethis,headmittedthetruth.Hefoundhimself`fedlikeasuckingturkeyinbedlamandtreatedlikeahelplessinfant.’RichardsonandtheLawhadwon.Allthesamehewasstillpreparedto-makethingsdifficultifhecould.`Theycouldnotgetwhattheycalladeclarationoutofme,forIknewthatwouldbeusedagainstme,soIthoughtitaswelltokeepmytonguewithinmyteeth,andthisIwouldadviseeverymanwhoisaccusedofcrimetodo,whetherheisinnocentorguilty.’

Allthesamethiswasstrictlyamatterofself-respect,nothingmore.FromthemomentofhisarrestandreturnfromIrelandhisfatewascertain.Therewasnothinghecouldhopefor.Allthatwaslefthimwastoputonagoodshow.Hehadtoliveuptotheimageheheldofhimself,whichhewishedotherstoretain.Thatdesirewasbynomeansignoble;reputationwasa

matterofpride,andhehadnothingelsetoleave.

`Duringthetrial’,reportedtheCaledonianMercury,`hepreservedthegreatestcomposure,whilehisLordshipaddressedhim,heleanedbackontheseatinacarelessattitude,atthesametimeeatingconfections;butwhencalledupontoattendtothesentence,hestooderectandhearditunmoved.’

Idlyeatingconfections-thatshowedthedandytouch,BrummellinthebowwindowofWhite’s;alsotheabilitytoregardeventsevenofthisimportancewithadmirabledetachment.Thecomposurewithwhichhereceivedthesentencedemonstratedimperturbability,thecapacitytotakeit,whichtheeighteenthcenturycalled`bottom’,andadmiredgreatly.

Itwasn’t,assuchimperturbabilitymighteasilybe,evidenceofinsensibility.Haggartwasnodumbanimal,noroneinarticulateinsuffering.Onthecontraryitwastheresultofahighlyconsciousexerciseofself-control.`TheysayIlookedcareless,buttheycouldnotseewithinme’,henoted.

Nowallthatremainedwastosethimselfrightwiththisworldandpreparefordeath.Heworkedathisautobiography,hisapologiaprovitasua;itwasallhehadtooffertheworld,forhisestimatedprofitofœ912onhisfouryears’tradingwasquitedissipated.Thepurposeoftheautobiographywasthenusualenough,whetheroneacceptsCockburn’sstricturesornot.Hewantedtoleavesomerecordofhimselfthatwouldestablishhislifeashavinghadacertainsortofsignificance;itwasintolerabletothinkthathecouldsimplyevaporate.

Ithadbeenalifeconsumedinactivity,ahecticpell-mellofsuccessionofincidentsthatallservednopurposebeyondthegratificationofthemoment.Theautobiographymaybereadasanattempt,slight,desperate,butinitswaygallant,toextractsomemeaning-fromitall;probablythisexplanationisatleastasaccurateasCockburn’s.Thereisintheendnotsogreatadifferenceincertainimportantrespectsbetweenthecriminalandhisadvocateasthelatterwouldhaveusbelieve.Bothfeeltheirevanescence;bothexperienceaneedtoimposesomeorderontheirexistence;bothturntotheautobiographicalmode.

ForthesamereasonDavidenduredthephrenologist,

GeorgeCombe,aman,likemanyenthusiasts,oflittlehumourandnowit.Hisvisitsdidnotonlyservetopassthetimeinthecondemnedcell,aplace,onemustassume,whereanyunoccupiedtimepossessesafrighteningduality:ithangsheavyandisyetfilledwithahorridapprehensionofitsbrevity.Combe’senquiryhoweverpromisedDavidsomethingmore:eitherthechancetounderstandhimselfmorefully,oratleastareinforcementofwhathealreadybelieved.Nobodynowacceptsphrenologyasascience,butitwassoconsideredbymanyatthetime:thereflectionmayserveasawarningforthoseenamouredofcontemporarymodesofpseudo-science.

DavidwasindignantandquicktocorrectCombewhenhemademistakes.ForinstanceCombefoundthattheindicationsofsexualitywerelow.NaturallyDavidwasreadywithdenial.Onthecontraryhisenthusiasmforthegirlswas,

`oneofthecausesofmydownfall’.Perhapsso;ontheotherhand,likemanymenofaction,heneverformedalastingconnection,indicationperhapsoftheinabilitytoexperienceanydeeppassion.ThereweretouchesofDonJuanaboutDavid,andtheclassicalDonJuanisaNarcissistwhouseswomenpartlyasdecoration,partlytofeedhissenseofpower.Hecannevermakethesurrenderofselfwhichthetruecapacitytolovedemands;so,evenincompany,heisessentiallyalone,imprisonedinhisexcessiveegoism.OfcourseDavidneverattainedmaturity;notmanyyoungmen,eventhoseofmoresettledoccupation,doformlastingconnectionsbetweentheagesofseventeenandtwenty-one.Onemustrememberthathisexploitswerethoseofayoungblade,whosecharacterwasunformed.CertainlyhisonlydeeprecordedattachmentwastoBarneyMacGuire,andthatclearlypartookofheroworship,anadolescentemotion.Barneywashismentor,aswellashisfidusAchates.Noonereplacedhim.AfterBarney’sdisappearanceDavidwasonhisown.

CombefoundthatDavid’sgreatesterrorshad,`arisenfromagreatself-esteem,alargecombativeness,aprodigiousfirmness,agreatsecretiveness’.Nodoubtthereissomethinginallthis,thoughone’sconfidenceinCombe’sjudgement,alreadyperhapsimpairedbydoubtsastohismethod,isreducedbyhissubsequentobservationthatHaggart’scunningappears,

notonlyinhiscrimes,hisescapes,andhisdeceptions,butinhisrefusingtoemitadeclarationbeforetrial.Toequatecommonsensewithcunningistoexhibitanaiveinclinationformelodramaandhyperbole.

InfactHaggart’scourse,whichCombedescribesashis`errors’,iseasilyenoughaccountedfor.Therewereonlytwomeansbywhichhemightrisefromhispositioninsociety:industryandcrime.Andhewasaversetowork.Ayoungmanofambitionbutnofortunehasalimitedchoice.Ifhistastesruntoexcitementandhighliving,hiscourseislikelytobeset;thesportinglifeistheretobeckoninvitingly.DavidHaggartwasbynomeansremarkable;plentyofyoungsparksfollowedthesamesortofcareer,eventhoughtheylackedhisintelligence,charmandverve.

Combewentontocomparehimtoothermurders,suchasBellinghamwhoassassinatedthePrimeMinister,SpencerPercevalin1812.Thecomparisonwasmoreorlesspointless.HaggartwasinnowayderangedlikeBellingham,andhe

wasnoteven,inoneveryrealsense,amurderer.Noonehaseversuggestedthatheintendedtokilltheunfortunateturnkey.Hemerelyhitoutatsomeonewhohappenedtostandinhisway,andwemayevenbelievehimwhenheexpresseshisdistress.Hecannotbecomparedwiththeothermurderer’stemperament,whichcanwellexist,asinWilliamBennisonandmorecelebratedexamplessuchasMajorArmstrong,amongthosewhoareotherwiselaw-abidingandevenseethemselvesasvirtuousmembersofsociety.DavidHaggartbelongstoadifferent,perhapsmorenumerous,category;thatoftheprofessionalcriminalwhokillsinamomentofdesperationorcarelessness.Itistrueofcoursethatanydistinctionbetweenmurderersandothercriminalsisfarfromclear,andcaneasilybepushedtoofar.Oftenitmaybenomorethananexpressionofdegree.Allcriminals,afterall,haveanexcessiveideaoftheirownimportance,oftheirindividuality;theyarenotpreparedtoadjustthemselvestosocialnormswhichinterferewiththeirself-expression.Murdermaybeinterpretedastheextremestatementoftheego,expressingawillingnesstoobliterateanyonewhoseexistenceconstitutesanobstacletotheego’sgratification.Themurdererreducesalllifetoapoint

whereitmustsubmittohiswill.

Popularopinionhasalwaysbeenaccustomedtomakeadistinctionbetweenmurderandothercrimes.Differenceofdegreecomestorepresentdifferenceinkind,ifitispushedfarenough.Totakeanotherman’s.propertyisseentobeonething;offensivecertainlytothelawsofman.Totakehislifeisquiteanotherthing,acrimewhichhasenteredadifferentdimension,anoffenceagainstthelawsofGod.

ItwastothesethatDavid,condemnedbythelawsofMan,hadnowtopreparetosubmithimself.Thosecondemnedtodeathhadnotonlythegallowstoconfront;fromthemomentsentencewaspronouncedtheywerebesiegedbytheclergy.Theministersweredoingnothingbuttheirduty;theyhadsoulstosave.Itwouldbeimpertinenttoquestiontheirsincerity.Tofaceamandoomedtodieinafewdaysmustalwaysarousefeelingsofawe.Itisnothowevercynicaltoobservethatitalsooffersanunrivalledopportunity.AsDr.Johnsonremarked,`whenamanknowsheistodieinafortnight,itconcentrateshismindwonderfully’.Inthesecircumstancestheministerswenttoworkwithawill.

Notablesuccesshadbeenachievedinthecaseofthethreeyoungmenwhowerehangedafterthe1812riots.Allhadadmittedtheirpreviousignoranceof,orindifferenceto,religion.AllhadbeenconvertedandhaddiedwithBiblesintheirhands,proclaimingtheirfaiththattheyweregoingtomeettheirGod.Clearly,attheveryleast,theministers’interventionperformedausefulservice.Itgavethecondemnedmenthecouragetodiewithdignity,andthatsuitedtheauthorities,foritawedthecrowdandconvincedthemoftheterriblemajestyofthelaw.TheRevMrPorteous,whospentmanyhourswiththemaftertheirsentence,publishedalittlebookrecountingtheirconversion.Heexpressedthehopethatitwouldbeaninspirationtoothers;thattheywouldlearnfromittoleadagodlylifeandeschewtemptation;buttheothershadnotbeensentencedtodeath,andso,forthemostpart,ignoredthelesson,andwenttheirway,likeDavidHaggart,unrepenting.

Nowitwashisturnhowever.Threeministers,theRevHenryGrey,theRevDrAndersonandMrPorteous,the

Chaplainofthejail,attendedonhim.Theirpurposewastobringhimtoaproperunderstandingofhisspiritualcondition.Itishardtodeterminetheirsuccess.Ontheonehandheobservedtheformalitiesofrepentance.HereadtheBiblewithwhichtheyprovidedhim,admittedtheerrorsofhisways,prayeddutifully,and,inhisspeechfromthegallowseventually,`conjuredthemultitude’,asTheScotsmanreported,`toavoidtheheinouscrimesofdisobediencetoparents,inattentiontotheHolyScriptures,ofbeingidleanddisorderly,andespeciallyofSabbath-breaking,which,hesaid,hadledhimtothatshamefulend’;andimmediatelybeforethehanging,afterthesingingofpartofthetwenty-thirdpsalm,he`kneltdownandprayedferventlyforafewminutes’.Allthatwassatisfactory.Ontheotherhand,muchofhistimeinthecondemnedcellwaspassedinthewritingofhisautobiography,inwhichtheexpressionsofregretareperfunctoryandconventional,andthedelightinhisexploitsrealandunabated;andintheconversationswithGeorgeCombe,inwhichhecontinuedtopromotetheimageofhimselfasafinefellow,theveryDandyoftheSportingLife.

Oneattitudedoesnotnecessarilyexcludetheother.Wehavepassedbeyondthecrudepsychologythatinsistsonabsoluteconsistencyasatestofsincerity.Insteadwecanrecognisethatcontradictoryemotionsdonotnecessarilydriveeachotherout,butcanexistsimultaneouslyinthesamebeing,man’selasticity

oftemperamentbeingsuchthathecanaccommodatesuchcontradictions.Asalivelyandimpressionableboy,whowas,moreover,inanemotionalconditionheightenedtoanexceptionaldegree,Davidtookonthecolourofthemoment.Hedidwhatseemedimmediatelyappropriate;played,thatistosay,thepartthatcircumstancesaskedhimtoplay.

TheScotsmanreportedthathisconductfromthetimeofthetrialwas`devoutandpenitent’.Thatwastheproperattitudeforthecondemned;acertainco-operationfromthembeingdesirableifexecutionsaretobeconductedwithduedignity.Hisfatherpaidhimavisit.Theinterviewwas`mostaffecting’.Davidexpressedsatisfactiontoanattendantthat`hismotherwasdead,as,ifshehadbeenliving,hisignominious

fatewouldhavebrokenherheart’.Thatwasexactlytherightsentiment.Thefollowingday,aTuesday,hewastakeninachaisetothelock-uphouse,and,duringthejourney,`hekepthiseyesintentlyfixedonhisBible’.OntheWednesdaymorning,twobailiesandthethreeministersaccompaniedhiminprocessiontothescaffold.`Hisappearancewasfirmandunshaken,andhiscountenanceexhibitedadegreeofmildnessastonishingtothoseacquaintedwiththedaringhardinessofhischaractersandexploits.Thecalmserenitywaschangedtoanexpressionofgrief,andheevenshedafewtearsonhearinganexpressionofsorrowinvoluntarilyburstfromafewwomenassembledinLiberton’sWyndtocatchaglimpseofhistallslenderperson.’

Thatmayhavebeenanervousmomentfortheauthoritieswhowereproperlyanxiousthatallshouldgooffsmoothly,especiallythatthereshouldbenorepetitionofthedisgracefulscenesthathadattendedJohnston’sexecution.However,Davidquicklyrecovered.Hisbehaviouronthescaffoldwashenceforthallthattheycouldwish.AftersingingpartofPsalm130-‘MorethantheythatformorningwatchmysoulwaitsfortheLord’-andlisteningtoMrGrey’s`ferventimpressiveprayer,heshookhandswithministersandmagistrates,biddingthemfarewellinamostaffectionatemanner’.Hethenmountedtwoorthreestepsoftheplatformbutdescendedagaintodeliverhisadmonitorywordstothepeople.Atlasthetookhisstation,prayedafewminutesmore,gavethesignaland`waslaunchedintoeternity’.

`Hewasdecentlydressedinblack.Thecrowdassembledonthisoccasionwas

immense.Everyonepresentappearedtobedeeplyimpressedwiththeawfulexhibition.Thepeoplestooduncoveredthewholetime.’WiththesewordsTheScotsmanendeditsreportofproceedings.

Ithadallgoneoffverywell.Davidhadplayedhispartadmirablywithwhollydecorouscomplaisance,andtheauthoritiescouldreflectwithsatisfactionthatthemajestyofthelawhadbeenproclaimed,andanawfulwarningofferedtoevil-doers.Afterallthejustificationofpublicexecutionswasjustthat:Voltaire,referringadmittedlytoahighersocialsphere,hadsummeditupaftertheexecutionofAdmiralByng:

`InEnglandtheyshootanadmiralfromtimetotime,toencouragetheothers.’

Thepublicationoftheautobiographyafewdayslatercausedsometohavesecondthoughts.`Thepublicationislikelytodomoreharmthangood’,saidTheScotsmanpontifically.`Despitetheendhehadcometo(anddespiteitsdignifiedandco-operativemanner,theymighthaveadded)wefearitwillratherstimulatethebadtogreaterexertionincrimethanawakentheirmindstorepentance.’Nodoubttherewassomethinginthecomplaint.Certainlytheautobiographywentsomewaytocorrecttheimpressionofpenitencethattheexecutionhadproduced.NoonecouldreadDavy’saccountofhisexploitswithoutbeingawareofthefunandexcitementhehadexperiencedinthosefewyears,anditisofcoursepossiblethatsomereadersmightconcludethatwithalittlebitmoreluckandprudencetherewasnoreasonwhysoentertainingacareershouldbecutthusabruptlyshort.Atthesametimesuchadmonitionsasthebookcontainedrangfeeblyincomparison.AsTheScotsmanputit,`thosewhohavedonewrongfrequently,andstillmore,thosewhodowronghabitually,areaversefromreflection.Theyknowittobepainful.’AccordinglytheconclusionwasthattheywerelikelytoletthemoralofDavid’sendpassthemby,whilereceivingstimulationfromtheheadlonggallopofhiscourse.

Probablyhoweverthenewspaper’sfearsamountedtolittlemorethanthepompousconventionalplatitudesinwhichrespectabilitylovestogarbitself.DrJohnsonprovidedan.answerbeforelong.InhisLifeofJohnGay,hewroteofTheBeggar’sOpera:

`DrHerring,afterwardsArchbishopofCanterbury,censureditasgiving

encouragementnotonlytovicebuttocrimesbymakingahighwaymanthehero,anddismissinghimatlastunpunished.IthasevenbeensaidthataftertheexhibitionofTheBeggar’sOperathegangsofrobberswereevidentlymultiplied.Theplay…cannotbeconceived,withoutmorespeculationthanliferequiresoradmits,tobeproductiveofmuchevil.Highwaymenandhousebreakersseldomfrequentthetheatre,ormingleinanyelegantdiver44

sion;norisitpossibleforanyonetoimaginethathemayrobwithsafetybecauseheseesMacheathreprieveduponthestage.’

Suchrobustcommonsenseisalwayspreferabletocant,anditisequallyunlikely-whateverTheScotsman’sapprehensions-thatanyoneturnedtocrimeasaresultofreadingDavidHaggart’slittlebook.Suchproductionsmayinfluencethestyleofcriminalactivitybyofferingthecriminalamodelorideal,buttherootsofcrimeliedeeperandaremorecomplex.Theyrestincharacterandcircumstance,andintheworkingofoneupontheother.Theyarealwayshardtoidentify,andanyidentificationcanonlybetentative.Onethingissurehowever:theyareinaccessibletosuchglibandfacileexplanation.

OrtheOtherDearCharmer

LeithWalkbegins,orusedtobegin,insomesplendour,flankedbyRobertAdam’sRegisterHouseononeside,andtheCaltonHillontheother.NowadaysthefirstisdeformedbythemonstrousStJames’Centreandthebroadstreetismadedesolatebydemolition,andridiculousbyavulgarfootbridge,whichcouldscarcelybelesspleasingtotheeye,andhardlyevenhastheexcuseoffunction.

Yetthisdeformityisnotoutofkeepingwiththehistoryofthestreet,whichhasalwayspromisedmorethanitachieved,andthisfailuretellsussomethingofthedevelopmentofthecity.

Thestreetfollowsthelineofanearthworkshurriedlythrownupinthesummerof1650bytheCovenantingArmyofDavidLeslietocheckCromwell’sadvanceafterhisvictoryatDunbar.Forthenextcenturyormoretheearthworksstood,andwereusedasawalkorasaplaygroundbychildren,whiletheroadtoLeithfromEdinburghcontinuedtofollowitsage-oldroutefromtheCowgate,skirtingtheeastsideoftheCaltonHillandrunningdowntotheportalongthelinesofthepresentEasterRoad.Acuriouslateseventeenthcenturyexperimentofrunninghorse-drawnbusesalongLeslie’searthworkswasunsuccessful,anditwasnotuntil1774thatthedecisionwastakentowidenandpavewhatbecametheWalk.IndeedtheneedtoimprovecommunicationswiththeportwasusedasthecommonsensejustificationforwhatmanyconsideredtobetheridiculouslyambitiousplantobuildtheNorthBridgeoverthechasmbelowtheOldTown.,

Therewas,itseemed,reasonenoughforimprovement.

47

Leithwasabusyandprosperousport.In1791therewerefivemastershipbuildersthere,employingonehundredandfiftytwocarpentersandbuildingshipsuptothreehundredtons.Trade,principallywiththeBaltic,butalsowiththenorthGermanandDutchports,wasbusy.Anoblestreetwasjustified.

Andnoble,LeithWalkcertainlyis-inconceptionatleast.Wideandgentlycurving,itrunsforamileandaquarterdowntothesea.ItcouldhavebeenoneofthegreatstreetsofEurope,comparableforexampletotheRamblasin

Barcelona.Yetitisnothingofthesort,despitefinebuildingsstillsurvivingattheEdinburghend;anditneverhasbeen.

Theexplanationissimpleandinstructive.Edinburghturnedawayfromitsport.Itneverdevelopedintoagreattradingorindustrialcity.Leithhasneverbeenafocus,butatbestanannexe.

Thisfailureofdevelopment,isnotimmediatelyeasytoaccountfor.ThenineteenthcenturysawageneralturningawayfromthenarrowseasthatgiveontheContinentinfavouroftheWest,theAtlanticandtheCaperoutes.TheresultwasthegrowthofGlasgowandLiverpool,citiesthatgrewoutoftheirriverandwaterfront.OnlyLondonamongeasternportsgrewcomparably.Thatwasnottheonlyreasonofcourse:Edinburgh’sindustrialhinterlanddidnotcomparewithLanarkshire.Therewassimplynothingofthesamemagnitudetopassthroughtheport.Leith’stradecontinuedtobeintimberandgrain,andtherewasasteadyEastCoastcarryingtrade,butitwasallsmallstuff.

AsaresultLeithalwaysremainedtosomedegreesdetachedfromthecityitserved,whileEdinburghitselfdevelopedasalegal,bankingandprofessionalcity.ThedominanceexercisedbytheprofessionshasnoparallelelsewhereintheUnitedKingdomandprobablynowhereinEuropeeither.The1841Censusforexamplerecorded7,463Bankers,ProfessionalMenandCapitalistsoutofapopulationof163,726.ItissafetosaythattheCapitalistscontributedonlyasmallshareofthetotal.Ifwegiveeachofthesefourdependents-areasonablefigureconsideringthesizeofVictorianfamilieswefindatotalofalmost40,000,orsomethingbetweenafifth

andaquarteroftheentirepopulationofthecity.Andthisestimateofcourseneglectsthenumberofdomesticservantsdependentonthem.

SoLeithWalkneverachievedthesplendourimplicitinitsconception.Thewholetrendofdevelopmentledawayfromit,asthefailureofPlayfair’seasternextensionoftheNewTownalsodemonstrated.TheproliferatingmiddleclasswererathertobefoundintheNewTown’swesternextensionbetweenCharlotteSquareandtheHaymarket,orintheVictoriansuburbssoontobebuiltsouthoftheMeadowsBruntsfieldorMorningside-ortothewestofLeithWalkinInverleithandTrinity.LeithWalkitselfbegantodeclinesoonafterbeingbuilt.

Bythelateeighteen-sixties,whenRobertLouisStevensonwasastudent,itsEdinburghendwasknownforitstavernsandbrothels;itwasaplaceyoucouldgo`toseelife’.

Butthewholeareabecamewhatithasneverceasedtobe,onefavouredbyimmigrants.TodaytheyarePakistanis.EarlierthiscenturytheywereItalian;beforethat,theIrish.Theeastendfootballclub,Hibernian,withitsgroundatEasterRoad,hasanIrishnameandCatholicassociations;eventoday,thoughthebigotryhasneverreachedGlaswegianproportions,supportersofthequintessentiallyEdinburghHeartofMidlothianhavebeenheardtoaddresstheHibsas`Fenianbastards’.

NotallIrishimmigrantswereCatholichowever.ThatfloodbeganaftertheGreatFamineofthe1840s.EarlierarrivalswerelikelytobeUlsterProtestants.WilliamBennison,bigamistandmurderer,andkeenmemberofaWesleyanchapel,wasoneofthose.Thedegreeofreligiousenthusiasmhedisplayedisinfactoneoftheelementsthatmakeshiscaseandcareerinteresting,forhiscrimewasclumsyandmean,andhisconductcrass.Yetthegapbetweenpreachingandpractice,whichstrangelymirrorsLeithWalk’sfailuretoachievewhatitpromised,theexistenceofincompatibilitiesintheonecharacterandtherevelationsofworking-classculturewhichthecaseoffers,combinetomakeeventhisstoryprofoundlyinteresting.

WeknownothingofBennison’slifeinIrelandbeyondthe

factthathemarriedagirlcalledMaryMullen.TheweddingtookplaceinPortadowninNovember1838andwascelebratedinaPresbyteriankirk.Therewaslatertobemuchtediousargumentastothevalidityofthemarriage,forBennisonhadbeenbaptisedamemberoftheChurchofIreland,whichwas,ofcoursetheEstablishedChurchandanAnglicancommunity.Itishardnowtofeelmuchinterestinthisrathertechnicaldebate,especiallysincethechargeofbigamyseemsunimportantcomparedtomurder.Itwasthoughttobeimportantinhistrial,forreasonswhichwillemergelater.Moreovertheweddingsuggestssomethingofhischaracter.Bennisoncombinedstrongsexualimpulseswithmoralprinciples,or,ifthatisputtingitratherstrongly,withapowerfulsenseofrespectability.Hecouldn’tseduceagirl;hehadtomarryher.

HesoonleftMaryathomeandcametoScotland.Itwasstatedathistrialthathecould`assignnoreasonforcomingherebutforwantofemployment’;itisdifficulttoseewhyheshouldhavebeenexpectedtodoso,sincethisreasonwasobviouslyvalidenough.Irelandbeforethefaminewasoverpopulated.Thereisnoevidencethatheintendedhisseparationfromhisnewwifetobelasting.TheplanmayhavebeenthatsheshouldfollowhimtoScotlandwhenhehadestablishedhimself,acommonenoughcourseinsuchcircumstances.Ifso,hissusceptibilitysoonraisedanobstacle,forhehadnotbeenlonginScotlandwhenhemetandmarriedaPaisleygirlcalledjeanHamiltoninDecember1839.

MarriednowtoJean,histhoughtsrevertedtoMary.Perhapshesawnoreasonwhyheshouldnotliveasasultan;therewerealsoBiblicalprecedentsforpolygamy.Perhapshoweverhewassimplyconfused.AlmostcertainlyhedidnotachievetheinsoucianceofaCaptainMacheathsinging`howhappycouldIbewitheither,were‘totherdearcharmeraway’.AtanyratehereturnedtoIrelandandpersuadedMarytocometoScotlandwithhim.Perhapssheinsistedonaccompanyinghim,againsthiswill;wehavenomeansoftelling.Howeverthatmightbe,hisabsence,accordingtojeanHamilton’ssister,Helen,whowastobetheagentofhiseventualdownfall,`causedconsiderableuneasinesstohiswife,owingtostaying

awaylongerthanthetimespokenof’.

HebroughtMarybackandestablishedherinAirdrie.Ifheintendedtoalternatebetweenthetwowomen,hisdeterminationwasnotputtothetest,forMarydiedandwasburiedinAirdrieinanunnamedgrave.(Thatwasprobablymeannessratherthanduplicity,forBennisonwastoshowhimselfrecurrentlyandunpleasantlymean.)Laterthereweretobesuggestionsthathewasresponsibleforherdeath.Noevidenceexiststosupportthischarge.Hecontinuedtodenyitrightuptotheend.Theleastwecandoiscredithisword,forhehadeventuallymotivetoconfessratherthantocontinuetodeny.However,Mary’sdeathcanhardlyhavefailedtomakehimrealisethatdeathcanofferasatisfactorysolutiontomatrimonialcomplications.

HefeltconstrainedtowearmourningforMary,thoughnooneinPaisleyknewofherexistence,letaloneherdeath,andhewouldhaveavoidedanypossibleawkwardnessifhehadnotdrawnthisattentiononhimself.Moreover,onhis

returntojean,hetookwithhimabundleoffemaleclothesandtoldhiswifethatthemourningwasforhissister,whoseclothesthesewere.OnbeingaskedwhyhehadnotbroughthertoPaisley,herepliedthathehadbeenanxioustogethertoherdestination,whichwasanoldmaster’sinAirdrie.Itwasasifhe,deliberatelyinvitedsuspicion.

TherewasonenastymomentwhenhewasaccostedinchapelinPaisleybyalittlemanwhosaid,

`IthinkIknowyou.’`Doyou?’

`WasitnotyouthatburiedyourwiferecentlyinAirdrie?’Bennisonwasquicktoassurehimthathewasmistaken.Hemustbethinkingofsomebodyelse.TheincidentstuckhoweverinHelenGlass’smemoryandshereporteditatthetrial.Shealso`thoughtthathersisterhastheimpressiononhermindthattheclotheswhichBennisonhadbroughtweretheclothesofanotherwife’.

Neverthelessjeanappearedtoaccepthisstory.EvenwhentheyvisitedIrelandandshemethissister,stillalive,andnaturallypushedherquestioningfurther,sheseemedsatisfiedwithhisnewexplanationthatthedeadgirlwas`hissisterin

thelord’.Shewasn’t,likelyenough,thatnaive.StillHelen’sversionmayequallywellbetheresultofspiteworkingonmemory.Oneshouldneverunderestimatethehumancapacityforcredulity,andBennisonwasalreadysofirmlyinthegripofthereligiousenthusiasmthatwastoleadawitnessathistrialtosaythat,`hisconversationwaswhollyconfinedtoreligioussubjects’,thatJeanmayindeedhavefoundhisexplanationgenuinelysatisfactory.Sheherselfwastobedescribedas`averyreligiousperson’.

Astothedecisiontowearmourning,onecanonlyconcludethatBennisonfeltadeep-seatedrespectforconvention;itwastherightthingtodoandhewouldhavebeenfailinginhisdutytohimselfifhehadnot.Ifthiswashypocrisy,itwaswellengrained.

AboutthistimetheyremovedtoEdinburgh.ForsomeyearstheylivedatthebottomofLeithWalk,thatnaturalstartingpointforimmigrants.Adaughter,namedHelenafterheraunt,wasbornin1843.Around1847BennisonfoundworkwiththeShotts’IronCompanyandtheymovedalittleuptheWalkto

Stead’sPlace,adismalrowofgaunttenements.

Theirdwellingconsistedoftworoomsandacloset.Itwasonthelevelofthestreetwithasunkareabelow,thisbasementflatbeinginhabitedbyawidow,ElizabethWilkie.Atsomepointin1849aMrsMoffatcametolivewiththeBennisons,presumablyasalodger.Howtheyweredisposedisdifficulttodetermine.Bennisonandhiswifesleptindifferentrooms,Jeanbeingevidentlyinthekitchenwheretherewasprobablyaboxbed,orrathertwo,foroneassumesthatMrsMoffatslepttherealso.Acrossthelandingwasanotherflat,occupiedbyanoldman,AlexanderMilne,andhisdog.HewastotestifytothegoodrelationsbetweenBennisonandJean.`Ineverheardangrywordsbetweenhimandhiswife,andneverheardthemspeakunkindlytotheother.’

Therewastobemuchargumentatthetrialastotheconditionoftheblock,inparticularastowhetheritwasinfestedwithratsornot.Thegeneralopinioninclinedtotheabsenceofrats,atleastbythetimetheBennisonscametolivethere.AlexanderMarr,oneoftheneighbours,certainlyclaimedthattherehadbeenagoodmanyatonetime,butassertedthathe

hadsmokedthemoutwithbrimstoneandfilleduptheirholes.Theyhadcome,inhisopinion,fromthecommonsewerinLeithWalk,fromwhichtherewasagratingoppositeBennison’shouse.Forgoodmeasureheaddedthattherewasanotherseweratthebackofthehousealso.ElizabethWilkieproducedtheargumentthatwasheldtosettlethematter:shekeptlivefowlsinhercellarandmaintainedthatthatwouldhavebeenimpossibleiftherehadbeenanyratsaboutatall.ThoughAlexMacmurray,awire-workerwholivednineteenyardsfromtheBennisons,contradictedthis,anddeclaredthathehadhimselfkilledeleven,hisdeadratshadnochanceinthemindsofthejuryagainstMrsWilkie’slivefowls.ThedearthofratsundoubtedlyhelpedtohangBennison.

BennisonworkedhardatShotts’foundry,thoughhishabitofincessantlysinginghymnsandpsalmsfailedtoendearhimtohisfellow-workmen.HejoinedthelocalWesleyanChurch,whichwasnotatthattimeconsideredincompatiblewithmembershipofotherchurches,theWesleyansregardingthemselvesasaginger-groupofenthusiasts,withaconsequentattractionfor,zealotslikeBennison.ItwasaffirmedlaterthathehadbeenalaypreacherandhadtaughtintheSundaySchool.TheMinister,theRevJohnHay,wasquicktodenythis,andto

dissociatetheChurchfromhimtosomedegree.`Hismannerwasalwayspeculiar’,hesaid,`hewasamanexcitedinreligiousfeelings.’ThefactthatMrHay’soratoryhadcontributedtothisexcitementwassomethingbetterignored.

Itisaminorirritationthatjudgementsontheappearance,mannerandcharacterofmurdererstendtobedeliveredaftertheevent;theyarethereforealltoofrequentlygovernedbyaposthocpropterhocsubjectivity.Itisrareforustohaveacandidpictureofthemurdererbeforehehascommittedhiscrimeorstandsaccusedofmurder.Consequentlyhewillbeexpectedtoconformtocertainstereotypes:hewillbe`deceptivelyinnocentinappearance’or`franklysinister’.ThelatterwasBennison’sfate.Heisdescribedasbeing`ofdarkhairandeyes,projectingforehead,sallowcomplexion,verybushywhiskered.’Wedonotneedtobetoldthat`hisaspectisrathersinister’ordirectedtoobserve`hisprurienteye’torecognise

himasastockfigureofVictorianmelodrama.Itnaturallyfollowsthatheshouldbeseentofixhostilewitnessesduringhistrialwith`anextraordinaryglare’.Thatiscastingtotype,presentingadramaticallyjustappearance;senonavero,abentrovato.HehadastrongIrishaccent.Itcomesasashocktodiscoverthatoneofhisfellow-workerscomplainedbecausehewasperpetuallysmiling.

Despitethesinisterappearancethatwouldberecognisedwithsuchcertainty,nosignofvillainyemergedforsomeyears.Ifhehadindeedmurderedhisfirstwife,heshowednomarkofguiltandnodesiretomakeapracticeofit.Insteadhesettledintobeingarespectable.memberofthecommunity,becomingknownasareliableworkeranddisplayingadeepreligiousseriousness.

Theevangelicalreligiontowhichheadheredwasoneofthestrongestforcesofthecentury.Essentiallyitsappealwasemotional.Itwasconcernedtoarouseasenseofsinandpersonalunworthiness,sothattheconvert,shockedbyhisplight,shouldmakeacompletecommitmentofhissoul,hisbeing,hiswholelifeonearth,toChrist.Evangelicalmeetingswererichinpersonaltestimony,asredeemedsinnerafterredeemedsinnerborewitnesstotheevilofhisformerwaysandtothejoywithwhichhehadembracedthefaith.Thepastorsknewthat`enthusiasm’,thatwordwhichtheLaodiceaneighteenthcenturyhadsodisdained,slackenseasily;itwaskeptscrewedtothepitchbyregularprayermeetingsandBiblestudyaswellasSundayservices.

Atitsbest-anditsbestwasfrequent-thisreligionarousedgenuinemoralfervour,andbredaninsistenceonhighstandardsofbehaviour.TheresultsfoundfullexpressioninthegreatworksofVictorianphilanthropy.WithouttheEvangelicals,attemptstobringreligiontothepoorandoutcastwouldhavebeenfewindeed;practicalmeasurestoalleviatethemiseryofthenewindustrialcitiesequallyrare.Mostofwhatwasgoodinnineteenthcenturyculturewillbefoundtohaveanevangelicalstrain.

Neverthelesstherewasanotherside.Theabsenceoftheinstitutionalelementinthisreligion,thelackoftradition,andthestressonpersonality,allcombinedtomakeitanatural

homeforhypocrites,exhibitionistsandfrauds.Confessionisdoubtlessgoodforthesoul,butrepeatedandpublicconfessionmayeasilybecomeself-indulgence.Eloquenceisanadmirablequality,butonethatcorruptswhenitisemployedforitsownsake.Aconsciousnessofredemptionisstrongliquorforweakheads.

Tosaythisisnottoattributeinsinceritytotheenthusiasts.Only,therearealwaysdegreesandlevelsofsincerity,whichisnotaqualitytobeaccordedanuncriticaladmiration;itisalwaysfairtoquestiontheobjecttowardswhichsincerityisdirected.ThisisparticularlytrueinthecaseofmenlikeBennison,sincereandsecureintheirownvirtue.Yetthereisnoreasontosupposehimahypocrite.Hypocrisyisanywayamostwearingprofession,demandingthealmostpermanentassumptionofamask.Itisnotlikeadulteryforinstance,avicewhichcanbepractisedinyoursparetime.Thepoorhypocritecanneveraffordtorelax.

ItwouldseemthatBennison’sstatewasmorecomplicatedthanthat.Hisreligionwasgenuineenough.Only,beingthesortofreligionthatministeredtoself-indulgence,areligionmoreoverwhichencouragedeachdevoteetobejudgeofhisownspiritualcondition,itwaseasilypervertedtoselfglorification.NooneismoreeasilydupedthantheChosen.Nothingcontributestopridelikethecertaintyofsalvation,ofbeingoneoftheElect,andtheconstantself-criticismwhichtheEvangelicals,likemodernMaoists,affectedtopractise,mayfairlyberegardedasaninsidiousformofself-flattery.`Allcensureofaman’sself,wroteSamuelJohnson,`isobliquepraise.’Nowonderthenthatthisintense,rambling,self-indulgentreligioncouldbreedmenlikeBennisonwhocametobelievethatwhateverhewantedwaspermitted.

IntheSpringof1850hisdesiresbecameapparent.AtprayermeetingshehadencounteredayounggirlcalledMargaretRobertsontowhomhewasquicklyattracted.Beforelongtheywerewalkinghometogetherinthegloaming,whileBennisonofferedspiritualcomfortandinstruction,and,perhaps,otherattentionsthatwerelessspiritual.ForMargaretwasyoung,pretty,devout,and,mostimportant,admiring.Thoughshewaslatertosaythatshehadhad`asweetheartat

thetimeofthesemeetingsandithasgivenmepaintobesupposedthatIwasflirtingwithBennison’,thisputativesweetheartplaysnopartinthestoryandhasneverbeenidentified.Ifheexisted,hemust,ontheevidenceled,havebeencomplaisantenough.AsfarasBennisonwasconcerned,MargaretRobertsonhadasoultobemouldedandabodytobewon.Heseemstohavedecidedinonlyafewweeksthatshewastotaketheplaceofhiswife,who(amongotherfaults)nolongerattendedprayermeetings(shehadayoungdaughtertolookafter)and,moretothepointperhaps,didnotproperlyappreciatehim.Hehadfallenintotheclassichusbandtrapforweakvainmen;hefelthiswifedidnotvaluehimsufficiently,becausesheesteemedhimtruly.

Thistimetherecouldbenoburyinginanamelessgrave,nomourningwornforasisteroftheLord.Bennisonnowhadacertainpositioninthecommunity,somethinghehadworkedfor,astatusthatmattersmoreacutelyperhapstotheimmigrantthantothenativewhohasneverfeltthelackofit.Moreover,andstillmorepertinently,jeanhadfamily,inparticular,hersisterHelenGlassnowlivingnearbyinLochendRoad,Leith.Respectabilityandprudence,working,astheysooftendo,inharness,dictatedthesolution.Jeanhadtodieandherdeathhadtobeacceptedasnatural.

Histonguebusilyspreadstoriesofherfailinghealth.Thisisofcoursearegulardevice;almostthefirstruleofthedomesticmurder.Therewashoweversomeevidencetobackitup.EvenHelenGlassadmittedthatjeanwas`alittledelicateinwinterandtroubledwithacough’.MrsMoffat,thelodger,wentfurther:Jean`wasveryweaklyandmuchtroubledwithsweating’.ItmayhavebeenthisthathadpromptedBennisontojoinaFuneralSocietyinNovember1849,somemonthsbeforehisfirstrecordedmeetingwithMargaretRobertson.Therewasnothingsinisterinthis.Suchsocietieswerethepoor’sonlyinsurance.ArespectablemanlikeBennisoncouldnotneglectsuchprovisionaswouldenable

himtoburyhiswifedecently,shouldsuchasadeventualitybenecessary.Yet,paradoxically,theprecautionmayhaveencouragedhismindtoturntowardsthecourseofelimination,themomenttemptationappeared.

Itisimpossibletomarkthemomentofdecision,oratleast

themomentofcommitment.InFebruary1850hewenttotheshopofWilliamMacDonald,anapothecarypractisingintheKirkgate,Leith,andpurchasedarsenicfromMrsMacDonald.MacDonaldknewBennisonas`aChristianandapiousman’.AllthesameMrsMacDonald,whoadmittedthatsheneverlikedservingcustomerswitharsenic,askedhimwhyhewantedit.Herepliedthathiswifehadaskedhimtogetit,andintroducedthesubjectoftherats.(Sometimesonefeelsthesestoriescouldwritethemselves,sopredictablearethecharacters’moves,asthoughtheyfollowedtheprescribedstepsofacountrydance.)Mrs.MacDonaldwarnedhimtobecareful,andgavehimthearsenicscrewedupintwistsofwhite-brownpaper.

ItwouldseemthatatthispointhecanonlyjusthavemetMargaretRobertson.Oneoftheneighbourlywitnesses,MrsRamsay,saidthatBennisonhadbeenseengoingtoprayermeetingswithMargaretonceortwiceaweekforthetwomonthsbeforeJean’sdeath.ThatwouldbringtheirmeetingbacktothemiddleofFebruary-aboutthetimeheboughtthearsenic.OthersputtheperiodofhisattentionstoMargaretatnomorethansixweeks,whichwouldmaketheirencountersubsequenttothepurchaseofthepoison.Itevenlooksasifthetwomightnothavebeenconnected.Yet,iftheywerenot,theelementofpremeditation,whichnoonehasdoubted,beginstolookunreasonable.WhyshouldBennisonbuyarsenictogetridofhiswifeatthatmoment?EitherMargaretwasthespringofhismotive,inwhichcaseitwassimplyfortunatethathealreadyhadarsenictohand(anunlikelyhypothesis),orhehadmether-earlierandclandestinely;orhealreadyintendedtokilljeanforsomeotherreason.Finally,onecannotentirelyexcludethepossibilityofinnocenceoroftheexistenceoftherats.

Nothingappearstohavehappenedtill12April.Itmaybethattherewasaprevious,unsuccessfulandthereforeunrecorded,attempt.Itmaybethatheretainedthearsenicinhispossessionfortwomonths,broodingonhispurpose.IfweknewmoreofthemovementsofMrsMoffat,thelodger,whowasawayona

visittoDalkeithontheweekendofthedeath,

wemightbebetterabletocometoasatisfactoryresolutionoftheproblem.PerhapsBennisonwaswaitingforaweekendwhensheshouldbeoutofthehouse.Ontheotherhand,itmaybethatshewenttoDalkeitheveryweekend;thereisnoevidenceonewayortheother;merelyassumptions.Nobodyquestionedheratthetrialaboutherhabitsandmovements,nosignificancebeingattachedtoBennison’schoiceoftime.Possiblyofcourse,thearsenichadindeedbeenboughtforthecelebratedrats,employedonthem,butnotexhausted.Itseemsunlikely.MrsMoffatdeclaredthat,`shehadneverheardMrsBennisonspeakaboutrats,andthedeceasedvisitedthecoal-cellareverynight’.ItwouldthenbeinterestingtoknowwhatwasinBennison’smindinthetwomonthsbetweenthepurchaseofthearsenicandhiswife’sdeath.DidhehopethatsomehoworotherJeanwoulddie,andrelievehimoftheresponsibilityofaction?Couldheperhapskillherobliquely,simplybytheexerciseofthewill?WouldtheAlmightytakeahandandsmoothhisservant’spath?Givenhistemperament,hisconsciousnessofvirtue,itseemsunlikelythathishesitationwascausedbyuncertaintyoftherightsandwrongs,buthemayhavewonderedwhetherhecouldgetawaywithit.

Therewasnoreasonwhyheshouldnot.Inthenineteenthcenturyitrequirednomorethancommonprudenceandtolerablecompetencetopoisonsomeonesuccessfully.ThecelebratedpractitionerslikeDrsPritchardandPalmercutswathesthroughtheiracquaintancebeforebeingdiscovered.Whatdidforthemintheendwaslackofrestraint;somanydiedaroundthemthatsuspicioncouldnotfailtobearoused.Butforanyonelessextravagant,preparedtolimithimselftotheessentialelimination,thejobwasnottoodifficultandtheprospectofdiscoverysufficientlyremotetomaketheriskworthtaking.Nodoctor’scertificateofdeathwasnecessarybeforeburial.Mostofthepoordiedfarfromthereachofthemedicalprofession.Onlyifdoubtwerealreadyentertainedwerequestionslikelytobeofficiallyasked.

Onthe9AprilBennisontookanotherstep.HejoinedasecondFuneralsociety.Thisshowedmeannessandgreed,quitecharacteristicofacertaintypeofmurderer,andBennis58

onwaslatertodisplaytheseunattractivequalitiesstillmoreunpleasantly.Doubtlesshesawnoreasonwhyheshouldpayformurderinghiswife;indeedhecouldevenmakeabitontheside.Theprudentmancountsthepennies,andhewasoneoftherespectable,thedeserving,poor.MrsMoffat,whoseevidenceofcoursecontributedagooddealtothepictureofBennisonthatemergedatthetrial,reportedthatshe`hadaconversationwithhimaboutBenefitSocieties,andhesaidthathewouldgetœ3fortheburialofhiswife,besidesoneshillingapiecefromeachoftheworkmen;andhejoinedoneontheninthofthemonth.’AndrewCarr,secretaryoftheBenefitSocieties,latersaidthatBennisonwouldgetfiftyshillingsfromeach;theequivalentofseveralweeks’wages,thoughfewmightthinkitmeritedamurder.

OnFriday12AprilBennisoncamehomefromhisworkcomplaining,`andseemedratherdull’,asMrsMoffatputit.SheattachednosignificancetohismoodandsetoffforDalkeith.Bennisonseemstohavespenttheeveningathome,whichwasbythattimeunusual.TherewasgeneralagreementwithHelenGlass’sobservationthat`hedidnotspendmuchofhistimeathome’.Toexplainthishehadtoldhiswifethat,afterworkingallday,`herequiredexercise’;nobodyhadmuchdoubtabouttheformthistook;EuphemiaIngram,niece,ofneighbourscalledPorteous,hadseen`MargaretRobertsonandBennisonwalkingtogetherafteritwasdark’.

HowevertherewasnoneofthatthisFriday.Insteaditwasaquietdomesticevening.MrsPorteouslaterreportedthatJeanhadbeen`ingoodhealththatday’,but,accordingtoBennison’sDeclaration,sheretiredtobedearlyandthenexpressedadesireforporridge.Nothingunusualaboutthat,ofcourse,porridgenotthenbeingadishmoreorlessrestrictedtobreakfasttime,butthestandardfoodofthepoorthroughouttheday.`They’regrandfood,theparritch,’asDavidBalfour’sUncleEbeneezersaidinKidnapped.

Bennisoncookedtheporridgeinanironpotandthenservedittoherinthetraditionalwoodenbowl.Hestatedthathehadnotbeenhungryhimselfandhadthereforeeatennothing.Someporridgewasleftinthepot;heputitdownforSandyMarr’sdogthenextday.Nowhesettledjeanforthe

nightandretiredtobedhimself.

ShewokehimearlyontheSaturdaymorningaboutseveno’clock,comingtohisbedsideandsayingshehadbeenunwellduringthenight.Shehadvomitedseveraltimes.Aboutanhourlatershebegantovomitagain:ThereisnoevidenceforthisaccountbeyondBennison’sdeclaration,butnothingjeansaidinthenextforty-eighthourscontradictedit.

HewenttocallMrsPorteous,andaskedhertocomeandlookathiswife.Sheheardhisstory,sawjean,andadvisedhimtocallthedoctor.Bennisonwasloathtodoso.WhenMrPorteouscameroundandrepeatedtheadvice,BennisontoldthemthestoryofacertainMrsO’Miggle,anacquaintanceofhis,whogotapowderfromherdoctorand`neverspokemoreandhedidnotlikethem’.MrPorteouscontinuedtoadvisethatonebecalled;heremainedobstinate.Duringthetwohoursthatshestayedthatmorningshenoticedthat,‘wheneverBennisongavejeananythinghealwaysstoodatthecrownofherheadandreachedforward’.Itwasthesortofoddityofbehaviourthatsticksinthemind,eventhoughnoexplanationmaysuggestitselftoaccountfortheawkwardness.

IntheafternoonthePorteous’niece,EuphemiaIngram,camein.Onethingstandsoutclearlyfromthestory,andthatistheclosenessofthecommunityinStead’sPlace.Therewasaconstantcomingandgoingofneighbours,whoallseemedtoknowtheBennisons’wayoflifewellenoughtoo.Bennisonhadhardlyamomenttohimselfthewholeweekend.Perhapshepreferreditthatway;itmusthavebeenastrainthough.Actuallyhisownactionscontributedtothis.HehimselffetchedMrsPorteous,andhesentonSaturdaynighttoacquaintHelenGlassofhersister’sillness.Howevershewasawayfromhome,tendingasickfriend,anditwasnottilltheSundaymorningthathewasabletofetchher.Hisbehaviourmaybeinterpretedasstupid,over-confident,innocent,orasaprudentattempttoallaysuspicion.

EuphemiaIngramfoundjeanstillretchingagooddeal,thoughtherewaslittleforhertobringup.Therewassomefrothywaterinabowlbythebed.Euphemiasawtheporridgeintheironpotandsomepotatoesinthekitchen.Sheaskedif

shecouldgivethepotatoestothesow.Bennisonsaid`no’,butshecouldgivetheporridgetoSandy’sdogifsheliked.Thisisoneofthemostmysteriousincidentsofthewholecase,forthedogdiedthenextday.IfitwaspoisonedBennison’sstupiditypassesbelief.Certainlythedeathofthedogcontributedtothe

suspicionthatwastogatherabouthim,eventhoughhehimselfsaid,`thedeathofthedogisnothing’.Assuchitmightbereadasoneofthoselapses,whichwouldbeincredibleiftheywerenotsofrequent,lapsessoeasilyavoidablethat,whenmade,theyseemtoindicateawilfuldismantlingofthedefencesthatthemurdererhaderectedwithsuchcarearoundhiscrime;sothatonemightalmostthinkhedesired,despitehimself,tobediscovered.Howeverthatmightbe,whatisreallystrangeaboutthisincidentisthatthepostmortemexaminationofthedogdiscoverednoarsenic.Thedoghadsimplydied.

BennisonalsotoldEuphemia`toputsomedirtywaterintoacanastherewasvomitinginit,andnottoemptyittillnight;andshedidsoaboutteno’clockintothesewer’.Perhapsthisindicatesrespectabilityandtidinessratherthanguilt,thoughanythingcanbemadetoseemsinisterwhenpresentedinevidenceinamurdertrial.NorshouldtoomuchbereadintohisperemptorymannertowardsEuphemia.Itwasnaturalenoughthatheshouldexpectawomantodothingsinthehouse.

DespiteJean’sconditionnodoctorwassummonedontheSaturday.Thatwasinevitablytoseemsuspicious.Probablyadoctorwouldnothavesavedherinanycase;failuretosummonmedicalassistanceatanearlymomentcouldnotitselffailtosuggestthathefearedthedoctor’schanceofsuccess.Inthedeclarationheemittedon19AprilheclaimedthathehadleftthehouseontheSaturdayabouttwelveo’clockinsearchforadoctor,buthadbeenunsuccessful.Hehadgoneoutagainaboutfour,butdidnotgetadoctor,ashiswifewouldnotlethim.

Nobodycreditedthis,yetitisnotentirelyincredible.Thepoorwereaccustomedtogettheirmedicamentsfromapothecariesandevengrocers-theBennisonsusuallyobtainedtheirsfromaMrKilgour,atea-merchantwhoalsosoldpills.

Stillitwouldhaveseemednaturalinthecircumstancesthatheshouldhavecalledadoctor.Afterall,asearlyastheSaturdaymorning,hetoldMrsPorteousthat,`hedoubtedher(Jean)verymuchinthisbout’.Hisbehaviourwascertainlysuchastowarrantsuspicion.MrsPorteousforonefoundhimnotonlystrangelyreluctantbutsecretive:sheaskedhimif`thethingshehadpreviouslyvomitedwassour,andheansweredverydrilyandfirmly,“no”.Whenevertheconversationwasabouthiswife,’sheobserved,`heansweredinthesameway.’

MrsPorteouswasnotfavourablyimpressed.

SaturdaynightwasspentbytheBennisonsalone,together.AtnomomentwastheretobeanyevidencesuggestingthatMrsBennisonsuspectedherhusband.EvenwhensheconcludedontheSundaynightthatshewasdying,`sheexpressedhowgoodtheLordwastoher,thatshehadbeentheweakestvesselandwascalledawayfirst’.Nothingthatshesaidcouldbeconstruedevenbyhostilewitnessesasanaccusation.IfBennisonistobebelievedonthismatter,jeanwasreadyfordeath.OneofhisworkmatesWilliamFairgrieverecalledacuriousconversationhehadhadwithhim.UnfortunatelyFairgrievewasunabletodateit,puttingit,withirritatingvagueness,`fromsixtotwenty-fourdaysbeforeherdeath’.HerememberedclearlyenoughthoughthatBennisonhadsaid,`thathiswifewastakenill,andthatshehadadvisedhimtogetanotherwife,ashewouldbepoorlytreatedinlodgings’.Iftherewasanytruthinthisreport,jeancannothavebeensurprisedbythecourseofevents;itmayevenhavebeenthispieceofadvicethatpromptedBennisontousethearsenichehadalreadybought.Onecanimaginehistortuousselfjustification.

Therewasnoimprovementduringthenight.Sheweakenedsteadily.SundaywasforBennisonadayoffreneticactivity,muchofwhichisnoteasytointerpret.Heseemstohavedecidedduringthenightthathemustnowmakeaseriousshifttofetchsomesortofmedicalassistanceoratleastgetadvice.HepresentedhimselfatMacDonald’s,theapothecary’s,betweensevenandeighto’clock,andobtainedpowdersmadeupofcinnamon,gingerandcayennepepper,whichwouldstopthevomiting.HecalledHelenGlass,whohadto

admitthatshehadgotthemessagetellingheroftheillnessonSaturdaynight,buthadnotthenrealiseditsseriousness.Bennisonseemedtoher`muchagitated’.Heaskedherforalittlespirits,andshegavehimaglassofwine.Therecouldbenodoubtthathewasinahighlynervouscondition.

HewasnowanxiousalsotoallaythesuspicionsthatMrandMrsPorteousmightbeentertaining.Perhapsovernightreflectionhadmadehimrealisehowhisbehaviourwaslikelytobeinterpreted.Henowtoldthemthathehadbeentofourdoctors,andtheywereallengaged.Henamedoneofthem,MacDonald.PorteouspointedoutthatMacDonaldwasnotadoctoratall;merelyadruggist.

BennisonthenhadthegoodfortunetoencounteracertainDrGillespie,whohappenedtobepassinghishouse.Heurgedhimtocomeinandexaminejean.Thedoctorhesitatedatfirst,`onaccount’,asheexplainedatthetrial,`ofitbeingadispensarycase’.Presumablyhewasworriedabouthisfee.ThishesitationwastodrawadversecommentfromtheLordJustice-ClerkwhoinquiredwhethersuchwasthenormalpracticeofLeithdoctors;thingswereorderedbetterinEdinburghitself,wherethemedicalprofessionrecogniseditsdutiestowardsthesick.However,havingatlastconsentedtocomein,DrGillespiefoundthepatientweakandvomiting.Inthecircumstancestherewaslittlehecoulddo.Herecommendedthatamustardpoulticebeappliedandthatshebegivenatablespoonfulofwineeveryhour.OnemayfeelthatBennisonwasaswelloffwiththedruggist’sadvice.HoweverhepursuedGillespietoaskwhetherbrandywoulddoaswellaswine;hewastoldmerelytoreducethedose.

Meanwhile,itbeingSunday,newsofJean’sillnesswasspreading.AtChapelMrHayofferedprayersforherrecovery,andwhenHelenGlassarrivedtositwithhersister,shefoundAgnesTurnbull,amemberoftheWesleyancongregation,alreadythere.Agnesconsideredthat,`Jean’sinsidewasinanawfulstate’.Shewatchedherthrowupthreetablespoonfulsofvinegarandwater.Shesatwithherintotheafternoon.AtsometimesheandHelenmovedjeanfromthekitchentothebedintheotherroom.ToHelenjeancomplainedof`great

paininthestomachandbowelsandofagreat

thirst’.ThoughthetwopowdersfromMacDonaldhadatlaststoppedthevomiting,itwasclearthatshewasgrowingweaker.

SometimeintheafternoonMrsTurnbullofferedtofetchthedoctoragain,butBennisonshookhishead.`Sheisgoinghome’,hesaid.WhenHelenrenewedthesuggestionalittlelater,hisreplywasevenlessengaging.Itwoulddonogood,hesaid;sotherewasnoneedtoincurthisfurtherexpense.Thispettycallousness,thisdeterminationtosavethecandleends,isunattractive,evenrevolting;itremindsoneofGeorgeJosephSmith,thecelebrated`Brides-in-the-Bath’murderer,whorefusedtopaytheinstalmentdueonthebathinwhichhehaddrownedoneofhiswives,onthegroundthathehadnolongeranyuseforit.Ofcourseanynotionthatmurdershouldgowithanexpansivetemperamentisromanticnonsense.Agoodmanymurdersaremean,simplybecausetheir

perpetratorsarenastylittlemen.AllthesameBennison’srejoinderlacksthegrim,evenifunconscious,humourofSmith’s.

Bennisonwasactingincharacterwhenherefusedtosummonthedoctorasecondtime.Thatisusuallywiseenough.Nothingattractssuspicionliketheunusualgesture.Yettherearelimits;itisequallyunwisetoarouseneedlessanimosity.Husbandswhoappearindifferenttotheirdyingwivesarelikelytodispleasethewife’sfamily;andsuchdispleasureturnseasilytosuspicion.Bennisonwouldprobablyhavebeenwisertohavedamnedtheexpense,andpaidthesecondfee,evenattherisk,surelyanoutsidechance,thatthedoctormightstillhavesavedher.

ThatwasnottheonlyevidenceonSundaythathehadconcludeddeathtobeinevitable.HeaskedHelenandMrsTurnbullwhatsortoffuneralletterstheythoughtheshouldget,andthefollowingmorninghetookhisblacktrouserstoMrsRamsay,aneighbourwhodidtailoringrepairs.Everythingmustbedoneproperly.HecalledonthePorteousestwice,andbadethempreparefortheend.Itwasnomorethanamatterofhours,hesaid.Hewasquitecorrect;sheexpiredaroundnoonontheMonday.`Ihaveseenmanyadeathbed’,hetoldMrsRamsay,`butneverapleasanteronethanmywife’s.’Atthetimehewasevenmoreecstatic:`ThankGod

shehasgonetoGlory,’hecried,`shehasgonehome.’

Evensomeofhisfellowenthusiastsmighthaveconsideredthiswasoverdoingit.Thereshouldbeameasureinallthings,anditisbetterthatbereavedhusbandsshowthemselvesatleastassensibleoftheirownlossasoftheirlatepartner’stranslationtoeternalbliss.Eventhegodlyareexpectedtodisplaymerelyhumanfeelingsonsuchoccasions,whicharerareenoughtoberemembered.

Ofcoursesomesortofpioussentimentwasexpected.Jeanhadalreadyexpressedherselfinsuchterms.Shewasprobablysincere,poorcreature,asinhisownpeculiarwayhewas.Otherswerelesseasilyconvinced.ItwasnotlongbeforeHelenwaswonderingwhethertheLordhadworkedunaidedintheaffair.AlmosteverythingBennisondidafterthedeathmighthavebeencalculatedtofanhersuspicions.

Hewasfirstundulyanxioustopressonwiththefuneral,fixingitfortheWednesdayafternoonattwoo’clock.BothHelenandMrHayweresurprisedbythespeed.Bennisonexplainedtotheministerthat,`itdidnotdoforpoorpeopletokeepacorpseinthehousetoolong’.Thatwasprobablytrueenough,whatwasgenerallyfelt.Nodoubtinasmalldwellingacorpsewasnotthemostconvenientarticle.Therewerenosparebedroomswhereitcouldbestored.NeverthelessBennisongavetheclearimpressionthathewantedthebodyoutoftheway,andthewholebusinessoverandforgotten,assoonaspossible.

Onthesamedaycamethedeathofthedog,andfewwerereadytobelieveBennison’sairyassurancethatthatmeantnothing.Attheveryleastitwasastrangecoincidence.Helen,MrsMoffat,andMrsPorteousallshooktheirheadsoverthematter..Tongueswagged.

EvenmoredamningwasBennison’sconducttowardsMargaretRobertson.OntheMondayafternoon,withinafewhoursofJean’sdeath,MrsPorteousfoundMargaretmakingteaintheBennisons’kitchen.Sheknewwhoshewas,thoughshewastoclaimthatshehadneverseenherinthehousebefore.Atthetrialtherewasargumentaboutthis.BennisonstatedinhisdeclarationthatMargarethadbeentoteainthehousebeforehiswife’sdeath,andevenHelenhadtoadmit,

undercrossexamination,thatshehadseenhertherewhilehersisterwasalive.`Therewasabonnetsenttohertomendbyhersistertheweekbeforeherdeath,andthechildwenttotheRobertsons’housetogetastrawbonnetforherdoll.’Adressmakingconnectionscarcelyjustifiedwhatwashappeningnow.NotonlywasMargarettheremakingtea,anactofenormoussymbolicimportance(thoughnoneofthewitnessescouldhavedescribeditinsuchwords)butsheandBennisonwereseentogetheroutside,walkingastheyhadbeenwonttodobeforehiswife’sdeath.Heentrustedherwiththedeliveryofsomeoftheinvitationstothefuneral,andtheywereseentogetherinthegloamingwithlettersintheirhands-MrsWilkie(sheofthecoal-cellarfowls)statedthatMissRobertsonhadbroughttheletterinvitinghersontothefuneral.Worstofall,BennisonremovedtotheRobertsons’ontheMondayevening,andspentthenightthere.

Hisbehaviourdefiesrationalexplanation.Itisasifhewasblindtothe

possibilitythathemightbesuspectedofmurder.Hewasquiteremarkablystupid;stupidtotheextentofimbecility,showingtoaquiteunusualdegree,thatcommonlyremarkedcriminalincapacitytoassociateactionswithconsequences.TheRobertsonswereequallynaive,andtheircomplicityhadneverbeensuggested.Whentheyrealisedhowtheirreputationwascompromised,theirproclamationsofinnocenceweretobeloud,Margaret’ssister,Mary,assertingthatwhenBennisonvisitedthehouse,`hisconversationwasalwaysreligious’.Suchassurances,incapableofproof,couldnotofcourseallayscandalousrumour.Therumourswereinevitable.Whenamanhasbeenpayingmarkedattentiontoagirl,andhiswifedies,andthenhemovesintothegirl’slodging,onecannotexpecttonguestobesilent.

Heleninparticularwantedtoknowthetruth.ShehadnospecialanimusagainstBennison.Shesaidatthetrialthatshewouldalwaysbegratefultohimforhiskindnesstohersisterinearlyyears-anobservationthatoffersarevelationofthewretchedconditioninwhichVictorianwivescouldlanguish.HelenandBennisondonotseemtohavebeenonbadtermsthough.ElizabethGrindlay,whoalsovisitedjeanontheSunday,sawhimresthishandonHelen’sshoulderatone

moment,thetouchbeingneitherevadednorapparentlyresented.Still,Helendidnotbelievethedeathwasnatural,andshewascertainhersisterwouldnothavekilledherself.`Sheknewthevalueofhersoultoowelleventothinkofsuchanact’,shesaid.Whatthenhadhappened?Shemadenoaccusationatthispoint.Shejustwantedtoknow.BytheTuesdaynightshehadastrongimpressionthat`somethingwaswrong.

EarlyontheWednesdaysheproposedthatjeanbeopenedforexamination.Bennisonwashorrified.`Hesaidhisfeelingscouldneverstandit’.Thesubjectwasresumedafterbreakfastandhecontinuedobstinate.(Helen’sevidenceonthispointwascorroboratedbyMrsMoffat.)AtlastBennisonsaidthathewouldbringDrGillespie.Hedisappearedforhalfanhour,returningtosaythatthedoctorwasunavailable,beinginthecountry.HehadthengoneinsearchofDrMacDonald(ashetermedhim),buthewasinEdinburghattendingaclass.Soitwasallnogood.

Therewasnothingthatcouldbedoneimmediately.Bennisonsetofffor

Edinburghhimselfonunspecifiedbusiness.Perhapsitwassimplyanexcusetobeoutofthehouse;hecanhardlybeblamedfornotfindingitsatmospherecongenialthatmorning.InhisabsenceHelenconferredwithAgnesTurnbullandanotherfriend,MargaretLaw,aswellasMrsMoffat.Theyallagreedthatactionshouldbetaken.

Thefuneralhoweverwentonasplanned,therebeingscarcelytimetopreventit.IttookplaceinPilrigcemeteryattwoo’clock.Bennisonworehisrepairedtrousers,andthedeepestblack.Yetevenhecanhardlyhavefailedtobeawarebythistimeofthesuspicionwithwhichhisneighboursandacquaintancewereeyeinghim.Eventswererunningoutofcontrol.StillhehadnotyetlosthopeofconvincingHelenthatherfearsweregroundless,andafterthefuneralhecalledonDrGillespietotellhimofthesuspicions,andaskhimtodowhathecouldtolaythemtorest.DrGillespie,prudentman,offeredsympathybutnoreassurance.ThenextmorningBennisonwastoapproachMrHayandMrMillaroftheIronworkstoaskthemtohaveawordwithHelen.HecalledalsoonMrKilgourthegrocerandfromhimwasatleastableto

bringbackthemessagethat,`MrKilgourwasmuchdispleased’withHelen`forentertainingsuchanotion’.

Ifthisnotveryconvincingadmonitionhadeverhadachanceofsuccess,itarrivedtoolate.Helenandherfriendshadnotbeenidlesincethefuneral.WithMrsMoffatshehadspenttheWednesdayafternoondiscussingthecasewithasuccessionofmedicalmeninEdinburgh.ByeveningtheyhadresolvedtolayinformationbeforetheFiscal.TheykeptthisnewsfromBennisonwhentheyencounteredhimthatevening(againwithMargaretRobertson).HepassedtheWednesdaynightattheRobertsons’,anditwasonlyontheThursdaymorningthathelearnedofhissister-in-law’sactivities.Heprotestedagain,repeatingwhathehadsaidontheWednesdaymorningthat`hisfeelingscouldneverstandit’andfinallysnappedthattheexhumationshouldbeatherexpense.Itwasthesnapofaweakmanwhosetimewasrunningout.

Hemusthaveconsideredflight.Atthetrialhiscounselputhisrejectionoftheideaforwardasanargumentofinnocence.Bennison,hesaid,couldhaveescaped`seeingthegreatfacilitiesthathehadfordoingsobyrailway’.Itwasnotmuchofadefence,butnotquiteasfeebleasitsounds.Liaisonbetween

policeforceswasstillpoor;crimewastheconcernofalocality,and,despitethecirculationofdescriptionsandnewspaperslikeHueandCry,itwasdifficulttotraceawantedmaninanothercity.Labour,especiallyIrishlabour,washighlymobile,andfewquestionswereaskedofanewemployee.TherewasnonationalpopularPress.Therewerenodocumentsthatwouldaididentification,nonationalinsurance,taxrecords,noofficialrecordofexistenceindeedbeyondthatfurnishedbybirth,marriageanddeathregistrations;andthesewereoftendefectiveincities.Consequentlyaquickescapebyrailwaspossible,andanewidentityinanothercitycouldbeadoptedwithoutdifficulty.Itiseasytoforgethowbureaucracyandtechnologyhaverestrictedthefreedomofthecriminal.

Bennisonhoweverstayedput,buthewasnowagitated,alerttothedangerofhisposition.Hismindturnedbacktothepurchaseofthearsenic.Ifonlythatcouldsomehowbewished

away…hesetofftoseetheMacDonalds.Theconversationbeganobliquely.HeaskedMrMacDonaldifhecouldhavealineforthemedicinewithwhichhehadbeensupplied.Thedruggistassuredhimthatwasnotnecessary.Bennisonmadetoleave.Then,asiftheideahadjustcrossedhismind,heturnedandaskedaboutthearsenic.MacDonald,whoknewnothingofthesale,wastakenaback.Bennisonexplainedthematter,howhehadgotthepoisonfromMrsMacDonald`fortherats’.SinceMacDonaldhadnotbeeninvolvedinthesaleBennisonsuggested-surelyhecouldtruthfullydenyallknowledgeofthetransaction?NotonlyJesuits,butWesleyanstoo,arecapableofcasuistry.MrMacDonaldhoweverwasadamant.Itwasasmuchashispositionwasworth;besideswhichitwouldbewrong;andwhatanywayhadBennisondonewiththestuff?Bennisonrepliedthathehadhandeditovertohiswife.Shehadmixeditinaplate,andhehadneverseenitsince.MacDonald,thoughmindfulofBennison’sChristianpiety,wasnottobepersuaded.Bennisonsaid,`Theymayfindit,butIdeclaretoGodthatIaminnocent’.Itwasnottobethelastofhisappealstodivineauthority.

Hereturnedtohishouseinastateofdespondency.Evenhecouldseethathispositionhadbecomedesperate.Theywoulddiguphiswife,findarsenicinher,andthenwhat?Allhecoulddowasstandbytheratsandproclaiminnocenceofanythingelse.Itwaspossiblethattheassumptionofsuicidemightbemade…MrsMoffatfoundhiminthisgloomymoodontheThursdayevening.Herown

positioninrespecttohimbeing,atbestequivocal,shecanhavesaidlittletocheerhim.Towardsteno’clockshemadereadytoleave.Perhapsshefearedtocompromiseherreputationbyspendingthenightaloneinthehousewithhim,butitwaslateenoughtoseekanotherlodging.ProbablyshehadexpectedthathewouldbetakehimselftotheRobertsons’again,buthewastoolow-spiritedtoact.Soshedecidedtogoelsewhereherself.Shemayevenhavebeenafraid.Ifshehad,asseemsprobable,alreadyconcludedthatBennisonwasamurderer,itisnaturalenoughthatsheshouldhavefeltdisinclinedtopassthenightinhiscompany.

Thenhemadeanoddrequest.Wouldshepleaselockthe

doorandtakethekeywithher?Hemustindeedhavebeeninastateofabjectfearandconfusion.HehadalreadygivenMrsMoffatevidenceofthisearlierintheafternoon.ThenamessagehadbeenbroughtaskinghimtocallonMrMillar,thebook-keeperattheIronworks,whowasalsotreasurerofthetwoFuneralSocieties.`Oncomingbackfromtheinterviewhefelldowninasenselessstatebythefireside.’Shehadhadtorevivehimwithalittlebrandy.MrMillarhadtoldhimthatinviewoftheuncertaincircumstancesofJean’sdeathhefeltunabletopayoutallthefuneralmoneythatwasdue.ThathadbroughthometoBennisonverystarklythenatureofhisposition.Nowhewasanisolatedman,andaveryfrightenedone.Hemayhavefearedtheneighbours,fearedthatsomeattackwouldbemadeonhim;hemayhavefearedthattheauthoritieswouldcometoarresthim,butevenBennisonmusthaverealisedthattheywouldhardlybedeterredbyalockeddoor,iftheyhadreasontobelievethathewaswithin.Perhapshemerelywantedanight’srefuge,achancetowithdrawintohimself.Perhapshespentthehoursofdarknessonhisknees,inprayer.

Ifso,itfailedtofortifyhim.WhenMrsMoffatreturnedinthemorning,hetoldherhehadpassedamiserablenight.Shortlyafterherarrivaltherewasaknockatthedoor.SheopenedittofindGeorgeFerguson,aSheriffsOfficer,standingthere.HehadcometotakeBennisonintocustody.Itisnoteworthythatsuspicionwassufficientlystrongtopersuadetheauthoritiestocometothisdecisionevenbeforetheexhumation,whichwasinfactfixedforthenextafternoon,Saturday20April.BennisonwasstillinbedwhenFergusonarrived,andatfirstprotestedpatheticallythathewastooilltoaccompanyhim.Theobjectionwasdisregarded.Hewascarriedofftojail.

OntheSaturdaymorninghewasbroughtbacktothehousebyFergusonandapoliceofficernamedFallon.Theytookpossessionoftheironpotinwhichtheporridgehadbeencooked,ofthewoodenbowlandofthetubintowhichjeanhadvomited.Theysearchedforevidenceofrats.Bothconcludedthattherewasnowayinwhichratscouldhavegainedadmissiontotheflatoreventothecoalcellar.AsFerguson

putitatthetrial,theplasterinthecellarwas`entire’.Therecouldbelittledoubtthattheratswereontherun.

TheexhumationwascarriedoutthatafternooninSpringsunshine.Bennisonidentifiedthebodyasbeingthatof`mydearJean’.Itwasjustoveraweeksinceshehadeatentheporridge,lessthanaweeksincehehadsummonedDrGillespie,andonlyfivedayssinceheproclaimedthat`shehadgonetoglory’.NowherewerehermortalremainsexposedagainontheAprilafternoon,withhimstandinghand-cuffedbesidethecoffin,staringdownonherface.Inthosefewdaystheworldhadbeenturnedupsidedown.

ShewastakenofffordissectionbyDrMacLagan,andBennisonreturnedtojail,whereheemittedthefirstofthreedeclarationsthathewouldmakebeforehistrial.InthishegavehisaccountoftherelationssubsistingbetweenhimandJean,admittingthattheysleptindifferentrooms,informationthatsomewouldfindsufficientcauseforsuspicioninitself.HethenrecountedhismovementsfromtheFridayeveningtotheMonday,stressinghismanyattemptstofetchmedicalassistanceandJean’soppositiontothisendeavour.HedefendedtheinnocenceofhisrelationshipwithMargaretRobertson,andassertedthatshehadvisitedthehouseforteabeforehiswife’sdeath.Finallyheadmittedthepurchaseofthepoison,butstoodbythestorythathehadhandeditovertohiswifetosopuptherat-holes,andhadneverseenitsince.Hewastoclingtothisstory;therewaslittleelsehecoulddo,anditisanyhowalwayshardtodisprovenegatives.Thisfirstdeclarationmadenomentionofhispreviousmarriage.Thesecond,madeon14June,deniedit,andthethirdof24June,admitteditanddescribedthecircumstances.Initheassertedthathehadconfessedeverythingtojean`whotoldhimnevertomentioniteventohersister’.Itisalwaysconvenientthustotaxthedeadwithresponsibility.

Thechargeofbigamy,initselfofinterestonlytostudentsconcernedto

disentanglethecomplexitiesofnineteenthcenturymarriagelaw,wasyettobeofmoregeneralimportance,foritwasonlythebigamywhichcoulddepriveBennisonofthereputationofapreviouslyunblemishedcharacter.Ifthebigamyweretobeproved,thenhisunscrupu71

WILLIAMBENNISON

lousnessandtreacherywouldbeclearlydemonstrated;itwouldbeshownthatlusthadoncealreadycorruptedtheoperationofhisconscience,thatallhispietyhadalreadyprovedanineffectualbarrieragainsttheforceofhisanimalpassions,andthathewasessentiallyunworthyoftrust.Evenifheweretobeacquittedofthebigamyonatechnicality(thedefencewasthatmembersoftheChurchofIrelandcouldnotcontractavalidmarriagecelebratedaccordingtootherrites)thepointwouldhavebeenmadebytheCrown.Bennison’scharacterwouldnotsurvivethecharge.Nothingelseinhislife,subsequenttothisdoublemarriage,showedhimtobeotherthanagoodChristianandanhonestman.Thechargeofbigamydidnotestablishmotive,butitmadetheimputedmotivemoresubstantial.Hehaddonethesamesortofthingbefore.thatis,hehadpermittedlusttoovercomethemoralscruplesthatshouldhaveguardedhimfromsin.

ThetrialcameoninJune.Itwasnotacomplicatedcaseandrequirednoelaboratepreparation-themachineryofthelawmovedfastandsmoothlyinthemid-nineteenthcentury.Itaroused,asanymurdertrialdoes,considerableinterest.SuchthingswererareenoughinEdinburgh.Thelasthanginghadtakenplacesixyearsbefore.Consequently,eventhoughthecharactersandthesettingofthecrimewerebothdrab,thepublicgalleriesofthecourtwerethronged`byhighlyreputableparties’,astheEveningCourantputit.

Theyhaddefiedrivalattractionstoattend.AGrandNationalArcherymeetingwasbeingheldinWarrenderParkandhaditselfattractedafieldofdistinguishedcompetitors.AnotherdrawwastheEdinburghGymnasticGamesinBellevillePark,Holyrood(theRunningHighLeapwaswonwithafineJumpof5ft1inch,andthedegreeoforganisationmaybegaugedbytheEveningCourant’sfrankadmissionconcerninganotherevent:`wedidnotascertainthenamesofthewinners’.)FartherdownthecoastaregattawasbeingheldatDunbar,andallovertheSouthofScotlandfarmersdelightedinthe`warmfosteringweather’whichwasbringingonthecropsafterameanspring.

EvidencefortheProsecutionwasledbytheSolicitorGeneral.(InScotlandtheProsecutionbeginswithevidence;

thereisnointroductoryspeechinwhichtheCounseloutlineshiscase.Thisprocedureisgenerally,anddoubtlesscorrectly,consideredadvantageoustothedefence;theevidenceispresentedstarkly,withoutthepreliminaryandprejudiciaryglosswhichanaccomplishedCounselmaycastonit.)TheCrown’sarrayofwitnesseswaslongandimpressive.Theyfirstdealtwiththechargeofbigamy,andthefactofthedoublemarriagewasclearlybroughtout.Whetherthistechnicallyamountedtobigamyremainedtoberesolved;therewasacaseontheotherside.WhathoweverwasnolongerindoubtwasBennison’sbehaviour;ithadbeenmarkedlyunprincipled.Nojurycouldbelievehiminnocentofpastduplicity,henceincapableofpresent.Hischaracterasanhonestmanwasgoneinthefirsthourofthetrial.Henceeachpieceofevidencesuggestingreligiouszealmerelyservedtostamphimahypocrite.

HelenGlasswastheweightiestoftheCrown’switnesses.ShealonespokewithlongknowledgeofBennison.Shemadeagoodimpression.ItwasobviousthatsheconsideredBennisonguilty,andwantedhimpunished;butshedidnotmakethemistakeofrepresentinghimasamonster.Sheevenpaidthelittletributetohisearlierbehaviourtowardshersister,whichhasalreadybeennoted.Sheimpressedthejuryasbeingadevotedsister,honestlyandwithoutmalicedisturbedbythemannerofJean’sdeath,andthereforedeterminedthatthecircumstancesshouldbeexplainedandtheguiltbroughttojudgment.Thatwasall.Nordidsheyieldundercrossexamination.Sheadmittedthatshehadheardofhersister’sillnessontheSaturdaynight,butshehadbeennursingasickfriend,andhadnotimmediatelyrealisedtheseriousnessofJean’scondition.Whenshedid,shecametoheratonce,anddidnotleaveherbedsidetilldeathseparatedthem.SheadmittedalsothattherehadbeenaslightconnectionbetweenjeanandMargaretRobertson,butshedidnotprotestaboutthis.Shelefttheslightness-acoupleofbonnetssentformendingtospeakforitself,andstandinunvarnishedcontrasttothenumberofmeetingsreportedbetweenBennisonandtheyounggirl.Finallyshestoutlydismissedthepossibilityofsuicide,employingjusttherightreligiouslanguagetoconvince

ofLeithWalk.

Itwasnotmoraldisapprobationalonethatconvictedhim.Themedicalevidencewassufficientlydamning.ItwasgivenbythecelebratedDrMacLagan,anditfinishedBennison.FromthearsenicfoundinJean’sstomach,tissueandliver,

theyhadnodoubtthatshehadtakensufficienttocausedeath.Therewashowevernochemicalevidencethatanyofthearticlesoffoodexaminedbythemhadbeenthevehicleforthepoison.Therewasnoevidenceofarsenicintheironpotinwhichtheporridgehadbeencooked;itgavesignshoweverofhavingbeencarefullycleaned,anactionwhichinothercircumstancesmightbespeakgoodhousekeepingbutinamurdertrialisaclearpointertoguilt.Therewasevidencethatthewoodentubhadcontainedarsenic.Curiouslyenoughtherewasnoneinthedog.DrMacLaganthenstooddown,havingmadeitabsolutelyclearthatjeanhaddiedofarsenicpoisoning.Comparedtothatfact,theexactmeansofadministrationwasunimportant.Unlessthejurycouldbeconvincedthatshehadkilledherself(andthatverdictwouldflyinthefaceofHelen’sevidence),orthatshehadtakenthepoisonaccidentally(whichtheyhadnoreasontoconclude),therewasonlyoneansweratwhichtheycouldarrive.AnydoubtstheymighthavehadastotheimportanceofestablishingthemethodweretobesweptawaybytheLordjusticeClerkinhissumming-up.`Itwasmurder’,hesaid,`ifanarticlewassoplacedthatitwaslikelytobetaken,evenifitwasnotactuallyadministered.’IneffectthismeantthattheydidnothavetobecertainofthemeansofadministrationinordertoconvictBennison.Thepurchaseofthepoison,theestablishmentofmotive,therecordofhisbehaviourfromthetimeshetookill,theseweresufficient.

Thedefenceseemstohavethoughtsotoo.MrCrawford’scrossexaminationofwitnesseshadbeenlessthanpressing;hisconductofthedefencecasewaslanguid.True,hebroughtforwardtheRobertsonsisters,buttheyseemedmoreanxioustosaveMargaret’sreputationthanBennison’slife.Nodoubttheirreasoning,theirinstinctivereactionperhaps,wassoundenough.Hewasdoomed;shewouldlive,anditwasbettersheshouldnotbetaggedwiththedescriptionofamurderer’s

whore.Inthislimitedaimtheyweresuccessful.MrCrawfordbroughtforwardthewire-workerAlexMacMurrayandhiselevendeadrats,buttheyhadtoomuchtocontendwith.FinallyhewasreducedtotheargumentthatBennisonwouldhaverunawayifhehadbeenguilty.Hecanhardlyhavebelievedithimself;certainlyitfailedtoimpresstheCourt.Crawfordcanhardlybeblamed;itwasanopenandshutcase.Nowonderthatheconcentratedmuchofhisattentionontryingtodisprovethebigamy;therewasinterestinglegalmatterthere.

TheCourt’ssumming-upwasunequivocal;thejuryconcurred.Theywereonlyouttwentyminutes.Sentencewaspassed.Bennisonwastobe`takentotheprisonofEdinburgh,theretobedetainedandfeduponbreadandwateruntilFridaythe16thdayofAugustandthen….’

Ifthesentenceofbreadandwatersoundsunnecessarilyharsh,thereadershouldreflectthatthemeandietwassupposedtoencouragepenitence.

Thatwasnot.Bennison’simmediateframeofmind.Hecriedout`inastrongIrishaccent,“IaminnocentbeforeGod,andIprayGodthisnightforthosewhohavecomeandstoodthere,declaringanythingbutthetruthagainstWilliamBennisonashecantestifyfromhisownconscienceandhisownsoul.Idocertainlyforgivethemthisday,andtheyknowthemselveswhattheyhavedone…”’

Sothelanguagepersists,and,inhighemotion,thespeakerfallsbackonthestereotypesofhisintellectualfashion,asameans,ifnothingelse,ofevadingtherealitiesofhissituation.Thelastphraseisarresting.ItechoesChrist’scryontheCross:`Father,forgivethem,fortheyknownotwhattheydo.’Notsurprisingly,Bennisoncouldnotrisetoalikemagnanimity:onthecontraryhewassurethathisenemiesknewverywelljustwhattheyhaddone.

ThecryofinnocencesilencedtheCourtforamoment,asitmustalwaysdo.Thereissomethinginescapablyhorribleinthatinstantinamurdertrialwhentheaccused,bynowconvicted,refusestoaccepttheverdict,butclingswithvainintensitytothehopeoflife.Theyledhimawaystillprotestinginnocence.

Hecontinuedtodosoforthenextweek,sleepingbadlyandrefusingtoeat.Hewasnotreadyfordeath.Outsidetherewaslittlepublicsympathyforhim,andattemptstohavehimcertifiedasinsanemetwithequallysparseresponse.Itisnotablethatonlytwenty-threeoutofthehundredandsixtyworkmatesatShotts’signedapetitionaskingthathissentencebecommutedtolifeimprisonment.MeanwhileMrHayofferedBennisonhisspiritualministrations.Atlast,fromamingledhope,lonelinessandnostalgiafortheemotionalreleasethatheknewconfessionwouldbring,Bennisongaveway.Headmitteditall.Everythinginhisreligioninclinedhimtothiscourse,andwouldprobablyhavedonesoevenhadhebeeninnocent.Asitwas,withhisconfession,hefelthimselfasone

receivedbackinthefold.Confessionexpungedthedreadfulisolationinwhichhehadapproacheddespair.Withconfession,hecouldagainbewashedintheBloodoftheLamb.Hemadethebestcaseforhimselftoo,assertingthathehadregrettedgivingjeanthepoisonalmostassoonashehadadministeredit;certainlyontheSaturday.Thenceforwardhehadlivedinamixtureofhopeanddread.Thisaccountofhisemotionalstatewasnotentirelyconvincing.HehadshownhimselfagitatedontheSaturdayandSunday,butthecomplacencywithwhichhehadviwedJean’sascensiontoendlessblisscontradictedwhathenowmaintained.

Neverthelessitwasthebesthecoulddo.TheconfessionwasforwardedtotheHomeSecretaryinthehopethatitwouldprocureareprieve.Bennisonbegantoeatandsleep,eventoputonweight.Hewasallowedtoseehisdaughter,andsavedupsomeofhisallowanceofbreadandmilkforher.(Itwouldseemthattherehadbeensomealleviationofhisdiet.)Theinterviewwassaidtobe`affecting’.HeevensawHelenGlassonwhomthecareofthelittlegirlwoulddevolve.Theyexchangedforgiveness.MeanwhileBennisonengagedinlongsessionsofprayerandBible-readingwithMrHayandthePrisonChaplain.

Attemptsweremadetopersuadehimtoadmittohavingkilledhisfirstwife.Hecontinuedtodenythishowever.OnewitnessdidcomeforwardclaimingknowledgeofthemysteriousdeathinAirdrie,but,sincehedatedittwo

yearslate,itisprobablethathewasoneofthosesensationseekerswonttoconcernthemselveswithmurdercases.AtanyrateBennisoncouldnotbebudged.Hehadnotmurderedhisfirstwifeandthatwasthat.Sinceadmissionwouldhavepermittedhimtoindulgeinaneworgyofconfession,itseemslikelythathewastellingthetruth.

OntheeveningofThursday15AugusthewastakeninacoachfromtheJailtotheLock-upHouseintheRoyalMile.Despitetheusualprecautionacrowdofsightseersspottedhim.Heremarkedthattheymighthavehadsomethingbettertodowiththeirtimeandtrottedsmartlyfromthecoachtohisnight’slodging.Throughoutthejourneyhehadshownhimselfamenableandgood-humoured,thoughanoteofselfabasementreadilycreptin.`Ohyoumaydoanythingyoulikewithme,andputchainsroundmyneckifyoulike’,hesaidtothewarderswhowereapologisingforhavingtobindhim.

Outside,acrowdbegantogatherbeforeitwasdark.Anexecutionwassomethingrareenough,andtherewasfuntobehadevenfromwatchingtheerectionofthegallows.Itwasobservedthatthecrowdattractedcamefromthepoorerpartsofthecityandwasdisposedtolevity.Thenextmorningthoughabettersocialbalancewastobeachieved.

Bennisonprayed,sleptandwoketoprayagain.Heateagoodbreakfast.Hismoodwasseentobecalmandserene,preparedtomeethisMaker,inhisownphrase`togohome’.Hisconfessionhadexpungedhisguilt-why,hehadhardlybeencastdownbytheHomeSecretary’srejectionoftheAppeal.Hethankedthejailersfortheircareandwentforthtothescaffoldinamannerthatwasalmostjaunty.

Thingswerenotquitesowellorganisedthere.TherarityofEdinburghexecutionsmeantthattherewasnoresidenthangman.AccordinglytheyhadcalledonMurdochofGlasgow,anoctogenarian.Hisundoubtedexperiencedidnotfullycompensatefortheravagesoftheyears.HefailedfirstofalltoobservethatBennisonwaswearingastockroundhisneckwhichobstructedtherope.Thenwhenthiswasbroughttohisnotice,hetriedvainlytowrenchitoff.Bennisonwasdriventoprotest.`Ithasabuckle’hewasheardtocry.AtlastMurdochmanagedtoremoveitandfixtherope.Alastprayerand

WILLIAMBENNISON

WilliamBennisonwasdespatchedintooblivion.TheEveningCourantremarkedthat,`Murdochdischargedhisrevoltingdutieswithevenmoreofthecallousnessofhiscraft.’

Thatwasaconvenient,evensoothing,criticism.Attheveryleastitwasameansofconfrontingthedilemmainwhichtheactofpublicexecutionbynowplacedsensitiveobservers.Blamethehangmanforitsugliness;deplorethepassionsofthemob;condemntheghoulishinterest;butsatisfythisbyafullandlucidaccountofproceedings.Suchambivalenceisperhapsinescapable;itmaybedetectedinthewritingofthisbook.Murderandcapitalpunishmentarenotmattersonwhichitiseasytomaintainaconsistentandhonestmoraltone.Ambivalencemayindeedbethemosthonestresponse.WhatisclearhoweverfromcontemporaryaccountsofBennison’sexecutionisnomorethanwhatoneshouldexpect.Disquietwasgrowingamongthemoreintelligentandsensitivepartofthepublic,thoughtheattempttodisguiseitoraccountforitseemshypocritical.Accordinglyitwouldnotbelongbeforeexecutionswerepushedoutofsight;societymightstillrequirethedeathpenaltyasasymbolofitsabhorrenceofmurder,orasanactofsimplerevenge;butitwouldnotmuchlongerpermitrevengetobeexactedinthefullglareofday.Revengewouldceasetobeaspectacle.Insteadthesymbolwouldbeveiledinthemysteriesofdawnandtheprisonyard.

OrtheGirlwhocriedWolf

`MydarlingEugene,IwishIwasbesideyouallto-dayhowniceitwouldbe.Willyouwritedarling.BelievememydarlingeveryourlovingLizzie.’

`NowEugeneIwantyoutotryandbelieveIloveyouforIdoloveyouwithallmyheartIdoindeed.Willyounotbelievethat?DobelieveitbecauseIreallyloveyou.Itisnofancy.IfeelthatIloveyou.IcannotforgetyoursayingthatIamheartlessandunfeeling.Thatisnottrueatanyrate,forIamnotunfeeling.EugeneyousayyouwillnotbelievewhatItellyousowhatistheuseofwritingonlyitgivesmecomfortifyoudonotbelieve.Believememydarlingeveryour

loving

Lizzie.’

`MydarlingEugene,

HowcouldyouforonemomentsupposeIwouldceaselovingyou.DearEugeneIreallyloveyouIamsureasmuchasyouloveme.DidyougetthenoteIputinyourcoatpocket?IamverysorryIhavenotbeenabletogetbesideyou.Ihavenotbeenout,youhavenoideahowwellIamwatched.Butyouknowdearitisagreatcomforttothinkyouaresonearme.Ithinkyouhadbetternotwalktoomuchinthesquareaspeoplewillbewonderingwhathandsomegentlemanitiswalkingsooften.IaminanawfulhurryincaseofMamma.IhaveonlywrittenbecauseIcouldnotgetbesideyoubutIwilltry.IfyourwindowsaretothefrontsitatthemandIwillpassontheothersideorwaitinthestair.BelievememyowndarlingEugeneeveryourtrulyloving

Lizzie.Burnthis.’

Fewthingsarelessrewardingreadingthantheeffusionsofthelovelornandignorant,andthesenaiverepetitiveletterswouldhaveneitherinterestnorsignificancebutfortheunhappysequel.

TheywerewrittenbyagirloffifteencalledElizabethCullenDyer.Hercharactermaybededucedfairlyenoughfromtheletters,silly,unformed,herheademptyexceptfortheconventionalphrasesofromanticinfatuation;shewasclearlyindebtedtothelendinglibraryforherphraseology.Atthetimeofwritingshewas,orhadrecentlybeen,apupilataprivateacademyinNewington,oneofagoodmanysimilarestablishmentswhichhadsprunguptoimpartmannersandaveneerofaccomplishmenttothedaughtersofthebourgeoisie.HerfatherwasacommercialtravellerforvariousLondonhouses,andthefamilybelongedtothatvast,spreadingstratumoftheVictorianmiddleclass,aclasswhich,perfectlyhappywithitslotandwiththearrangementofsociety,sawtoitschildren’seducation,andlivedindecentsubstantialapartments(theDyersatthistimehadaflatinBuccleuchPlace,afinelateeighteenth-centurystreet,pastitsfashionablepeak);itwasaclasswhichtooktouringholidaysand,mostimportantly,whichmadeafetishofrespectibility.ThewretchedElizabeth,clearlychafingunderitsbondsintheseletters,wastobeavictimonitsaltar.

RespectabilitywasthegreatVictorianGod,anidol,whichdemandedfrequentsacrifice,generally,inthemannerofsuchidols,ofyoungmaidens;aMoloch,whichtooklifeandgrantednone.

Theonethingunusualaboutthesemissiveswastheirrecipient.Elizabethmightbeindulgingincalf-love,butheradoredwasamatureman,EugeneMarieChantrelle.Yetinonesenseitwasnotsounusual,forChantrellewasaschoolmasterwhohadtaughtLizzieFrench,anditiscommonenoughforimmaturegirlstodevelopapassionatedevotionfortheirinstructors.Moreover,sinceearlyphotographsofLizzieshowasoftanddewyprettiness,itisnotinturnsurprisingthatshearousedChantrelle’sdesire.

ChantrellehadbeenborninNantesin1834.Hisfather,whowasashipownerinthatprosperousBretonport,gavehis

sonagoodeducation,whichincludedacourseofstudyatNantesMedicalSchool.HewaslatertopursuefurthermedicalstudiesinStrasbourgandParis,and,foroneyear,muchlater,inEdinburgh.Hecalledhimselfamedicalman,andwasaccustomedtodispenseprescriptionsforfamily,friendsandacquaintances,thoughhehadneveracquiredamedicaldegree.However,byhisownaccount,hecouldhavedonesoatanytime,`havingstudiedmedicineinthehighestdegree’Chantrellegavemostpeoplehemettheimpressionthathedidnotthinktoobadlyofhimselfandhisowncapabilities.

Thehistoryofhisearlycareerisconfused,morethanoneaccounthavingbeengivenatdifferenttimes.Accordingtooneversion,heleftFranceinconsequenceofLouisNapoleon’scoupinDecember1851,buthealsoclaimedtohavestudiedmedicineatStrasbourgfrom1850to1855.Whateverthetruth,andoneclaimmustexcludetheother,hecertainlyfounditconvenientandagreeabletohisconsequencetopresenthimselfasapoliticalrefugee.Hewouldsayhehadfoughtonthebarricades,andwouldthendisplayanoldsabrewoundinhisarm;intherightquarters-thosethatwouldadmireandthosethatwouldbeshocked-hewouldadmittohavingformedstrongcommunistopinionsinhisyouth.HetravelledforsomeyearsintheUnitedStates,withouteverestablishinghimselfthere;anditmaybeheldthatamanwhocouldnotachievethatinthemiddleofthenineteenthcenturywasflawedinsomeimportantrespect.Theearly1860’ssawhimestablishedinEngland,inNewcastleandtheninLeicesterandother

places,wherehefoundemploymentasateacherofhisnativelanguage.InthemiddleofthedecadeheremovedtoEdinburgh,where,afteranotherflirtationwithmedicaltraining,hesetupasateacherofFrench,LatinandGreek.Thoughhecontinued,aswehaveseen,todescribehimselfasamedicalman,andwasalwaysreadytoprescribeforthose,who,foronereasonoranother,wishedtohavenothingtodowiththeregulardoctors,hisprincipalenergieswerenowdevotedtoinstruction.Hemetwithagooddealofimmediatesuccess.Hewasafterallamanoftheworldwithatleastaveneerofsuperiorculture.Hismannerswerepolished,andheenhancedhisreputationbyproducingtextbooks,sufficientlywellmade

tobeusedinmanyschools.Bytheyear1867whenhemetElizabethDyer,hecouldconsiderthat,aftermanyvagaries,hehadfoundapositionwhichofferedhimacertainstabilityandstanding.

Thesevagarieshadbeenrealenough,sufficientlyserioustoendangeranyhopesofarespectablecareer.TherewerecertainlythingstobekepthiddenfromLizzieandhermother.TheScotsman’sobituarywastorecordthatwhileactingastutor`invariousfamiliesofthehighestrespectabilityinEngland,Chantrellecommittedwhat,sofarasisknown,wasthefirstoutragethatbroughthimintothehandsofthepolice-anoutrageofaverygrossnature,whichwould,itisbelieved,havebeenfollowedwithpenalservitude,haditnotbeenforthehightestimonytohischaracterbornebythefamilywithwhomhehadresided,andwhich,asitwas,broughtaboutasentenceofninemonths’imprisonment.’Moreover,`in1866soonafterthistermofconfinementwasover,hecametoEdinburgh,wherehewasguiltyofanactwhichwasnothinglessthanashockingrepetitionofhisformeroffence.Forthisheartlesscrimenostepsweretakenagainsthim.’Thenewspaperassignsnoreasonforsuchleniency;onecanonlyassumeadesiretoprotecthispartnerinthisdisgracefuloccurrence,apartnerwhowasprobablyaminor.Thusearlyinhiscarrerdidrespectabilityhelptoshieldviceandcrime.

Lizziewasnottheonlygirlheisknowntohaveseduced.Therewasanother,agovernesscalledLucyHolmes,seducedinhislodgingoneNewYear’sDay,andthenabandoned.ShewrotepatheticallytohimfromCromerthatsummer:

`…Whathappenedinyourhouseonthe1stofJanuary,andhowyoushielded

myfears,byassuringmethatnothingwouldresultfromwhatyouhaddone,whichIinmysimplicityfullybelieved,butnowIfindthatyouhavebeendeceivingmeallthetime,ifnotyourselfaswell.Thinkforamomentwhatyouwouldfeelwereyouronlysistertobetreatedasyouhavetreatedme…’

Theappealwasvain.Chantrelle,notsurprisingly,was

proofagainstsuchpathos,unmovedbythethoughtofwhathisemotionsmighthavebeenhadhisputativesisterbeensimilarlyabused;hecouldbearsuchreflectionswiththemoststoicalequanimity.

Yet,evenifsuchrumourssurroundedhim,theyonlyaddedtohisattractions.Therecanbenodoubthewasanobjectofglamourtothegirlshetaught.Aphotographtakenin1867showsawellset-upman,withastraightnose,highforehead,brownandgentlywavinghair.ThegreatDundrearywhiskerscannotquitedisguiseasuggestionofhumour.HelookstheverymodelofaVictorianhero,amaiden’sdream,anditislikelythatElizabethDyerwasnottheonlygirlatschooltothinkso.Itwasequallyunsurprisingthatherparentsdidnotshareherenthusiasm,orevenliketheassociation.Theirreasonswereclearenough.Chantrellewasaforeigner.Hewas,atthirty-four,justtwiceElizabeth’sage.Theyknewnothingofhisfamily,andnothingofhisearlylife,beyondwhathecondescendedtoimpart.Veryprobablytheyfoundithardtoknowhowmuchofthistheyshouldbelieve,forChantrellehadnolowopinionofhiscapacity,wasinclinedthereforetobeabraggart,andwasextremelyvagueastodates,andcavalierinhisregardoffact.Hewastostate,inhisfirstDeclarationtothemagistrates,forinstancethat,`Iwasmarriedtomylatewifeon2ndAugust,1868.Ihadmadeheracquaintanceabouteighteenmonthspreviously.ShewasthenapupilofmineatMrMcLachlan’sschoolinArnistonPlace.Shewasthenfourteenorfifteenyearsofage.Shewassixteenwhenweweremarried,butIforgetwhenherbirthdaywas…

Buthewentonimmediatelytosay,`noattachmentwasformedbetweenusuntilIbecameaquaintedwithherfamily,whichwaseighteenmonthsortwoyearsafterIbecameacquaintedwithherself…’andthen,`IknewmywifeasmypupilforabouttwoyearsbeforeourmarriageandalsoforaboutayearduringwhichIcourtedheraftersheleftschoolouracquaintancebeforemarriagebeinginallaboutthreeyears.’

Allthatwasconfusingenough,especiallyasthereisnoevidencethatChantrellewasteachinginEdinburghasearlyas

1865.(MrsDyerbythewayputthedateoftheweddingas11,not2August.)

Whateverherfamily’sdoubts,ElizabethwasbesottedwithChantrelle.Shemadeasmuchoftherunningashedid,andshewasonlytooreadytothrowherselfathisfeet:

`OhEugeneyoudonotknowhowIloveyou.Icouldneverbearanyonetokissandpetme.IfitwasbrokenoffIshoulddie.YouthinkperhapsIdonotmeanitbutreallyIcouldnotlivewithoutyourlove….’…`IfeelmyloveincreasingdailyasIamnevercontentbutwithyou…youdonotknowhowintenselyIloveyoufarmorethanIdid…IwantyoutoaskthemtoletmecometoschoolforFrenchaswewillbeouttogetherwalking.Howdifferentitwillbewhenwearemarriedweshallhavenoonetobotherus…IwishIhadyouhere,butasitisimpossibleatpresentIsendyoukisseswithoutnumber….’

Itishard,asinallsuchcases,todeterminehowfarElizabethwasmerelyrespondingtohernotionofwhatayounggirlshouldwritetoherlover-thestereotypeofpassionisevidentlythere.Allthesameonecannotfailadetectanoteofsinceritysoundingthroughthestockphrasesandself-dramatisation.Lizziewascertainlyfixedonherprey.

Theaffairwentthefullcycleofdevotion,renunciation,outburstsofjealousy(mostlyonChantrelle’spart),recriminationsandreconciliation.TheybothplayeditasGrandOpera.AsearlyasOctober1867,forinstance,tenmonthsbeforemarriage,Lizziecouldwrite:`MyDarlingEugene,asitwouldmakemeveryunhappyshouldourarrangementbecontinuedIthereforereleaseyoufromallyourengagementstome….’

Andhewouldreplyinthefullflowofmelodrama:`Myhouseisalwaysopentoyouwheneveryouchoosetocome,butIwillNEVERenteryoursagain…’

Howdifferent,shemusthavefelt,fromthetimidpassionsandstaidboyishemotionsofherfriends’respectableandclerklysuitors.Yet,atthesametimeandintherightplace,Eugenecouldshowtendernessenough:`Whydoyouwantto

die,youfoolishlittlepuss;therearemanyhappydaysinstoreforyouyet….’

Theaffairhadtocometoapoint,and,whetherbydesignornot,therewasonesurewayofbringingitthere:Lizziebecamepregnant.Thisgavehertheopportunityforasplurgeofemotion,fullyrevealingbothofherconfusionandofherfidelitytothepartwrittenforher.

`MydarlingEugene,

IscarcelyknowhowImanagedtopasslastnight.Itrytothinkthatyouarerightandknowbetterthanme,butstillIexpectedyouwouldcome.NevermindwhatPapasays.Iknowthattheywantedtogetyouacarpetforthebedroombecausetheyweregoingtogiveusabedandwardrobewhichisbought.ButIdon’tseewhatmoreiswanted.Butwhatistheuseofspeakingaboutwhatisnottobe.TheonlythingIcandoistogoawayasitisevidentIcannotstayandhaveababyathome….’

ItisquitetruewhatMammasaysthatwhenyougiveyourselftoamanhelosesallrespectforyou.ButIdonotsaysoofyouEugene…’(Onemayask,whatthenisshesaying?Howstands,Mamma’sconventionalwisdomaboutlossofrespect?)…`IdonotcomplainthethingisdoneandIamruinedforlife.Theonlythingformeistogotothestreetandshortenmylife.Ineverthought,butitisuselessspeaking….’

AndsheendsbysayingthatshewillgetherbrotherJohntocallonChantrelleonhiswayhome-‘itwillbethelasttimeIwillevertroubleyou…

Butofcourseitwasn’t.Now,whileitwouldbecruelandinvidioustoquestionthesincerityandthenoteofdespairinthisletter,itishardnottoreaditalsoastheworkofaposeuse;Lizziecannotwhollyhideherenjoymentofherplight.Shehadfoundherselfbanginthemiddleofastockmelodrama,andhadnodoubtwhatsoeverofhowherpartshouldbeplayed.

Thenextstepwasasecretmarriage.On10May,inChantrelle’sroomsinGeorgeStreet,EugeneandLizzieplighted

theirtroth,exchangingnotesinwhichtheyacceptedeachotherashusbandandwife;asufficientceremonytomakethemlegallywedaccordingtoScotsLaw.ByAugusttheyhadprevailed,andwerepubliclymarried.Herparentsdidnotlikeit-howshouldthey?-but,withtheirdaughtersevenmonthspregnant,oppositionwaspointless;itwasaquestionsimplyofavoidingdisgrace.Relationsbetweenmotheranddaughterneverwhollyrecovered.`Ivisitedmydaughteroccasionallythroughouttheperiodofhermarriedlife,andsheandthechildrencalledonmesometimes,butnotasfrequentlyasIvisitedthem’,shewastotestifyinatoneofundisguisedfrostiness.Lizziehadcomeneartodisgracingthemonce,hadindeedtosomeextentdoneso,foritcannotbeimaginedthatMrsDyerdidnotlosefacebecauseoftheshortintervalbetweenherdaughter’smarriageandthebirthofherfirstgrandchild.AccordinglyitwastobeanarticleofthefirstorderwiththefamilythatLizzieshouldbepreventedfromanycourseofactionthatwouldincurfurtherodiouspublicity.Thisstony-facedattitudecontributedtointermittentmisery,andprobablytoherdeath.

Themarriagewasturbulentfromthestart,and,onthefaceofit,unhappy.Thequalificationisnecessary,forenoughevidenceastothecharactersofbothChantrelleandLizzieexiststosuggestthatbothlikedtoliveinanatmosphereofhighdrama;andthattheturbulencekeptboredomatbay,andmightindeedbesaidtobetheirnaturalelement.Thisissomethingthatshouldbeborneinmind.Neitherwasfitforacalm.Theycouldexistinanatmospherethatwouldreduceotherstodespair.WeshouldnotthereforebeoverquicktoassumeLizzie’smisery.Themarriagewasalwaysexciting;bothwereactors;andthereissomeevidencethatadegreeoftendernessandaffectionpersisted,evenifitwasonlydisplayedorexperiencedfromtimetotime.

Difficultieswereobviousstraightaway,andtheywerenotallfeltbyLizzie.Chantrelleafterallhadprobablynotbargainedonmarriage.Itwassomethinghehadbeenforcedinto.InasenseLizziehadoutwittedhim.Witheventhebestwillintheworld-andthatwaslacking-itisdifficultforabachelorinhismiddlethirtiestoadapttomarriagewithaseventeen

yearoldgirl.Hewas-therecanbenodoubtaboutit-payingforhislittlebitoffun.Forthreeyearsbeforehismarriage,hehadsharedhisapartmentwithayoungmancalledDriggs,whomayhavebeenanex-pupil.IntimeDriggs’family,motherandsisters,cametolodgetheretoo.NotunnaturallyLizzieobjectedtothisarrangement.ShemadescenesandtheDriggsesweresuccessfullyexpelled.ThisvictoryofLizzie’swasexpensiveforherhusband,whonowhadtodefraythegrowingcostsofthewholeestablishment.Thereisnoreasontosupposethatheexperiencedacorrespondingorcompensatoryincreaseinhisincome;hemaintainedindeedthattheDriggseswereworthœ250ayeartohim.Throughoutthetenyearsofhismarriedlife,Chantrellewasdoggedbyfinancialworries,thickeningastheyearspassed,untilatlasthereachedapointofdesperation.Onlythosewhohaveneverexperiencedthemcanbeblindtothedemoralisingeffectsofdebtandpecuniaryembarrassment.Chantrelledidnotreactintelligentlyoradmirablytothesedifficulties,butthetenorofhisbehaviourisnothardtounderstand,andwasbynomeansunusual.

TheylivedthroughouttheirmarriedlifeinGeorgeStreet,acentralbuthardlyfashionableaddress,otherareasoftheNewTown,andthespreadingsuburbsofMorningside,GrangeandInverleithbeingmoreindemand.Theiraccommodationwasadequatebuthardlyspacious,adoubleflatoccupyingthetoptwofloorsof81a.Itconsistedofakitchen,diningroom,parlourandclassroom(forChantrellegavesomelessonsathome)onthelowerfloor,andtwobedroomsintheattic.Sincetherewereeventuallythreechildrenaswellasaresidentmaid,theaccommodationwasonlyjustsufficient.(Themaidsleptinthekitchen,orinanannexetoit,thoughattimesshesleptacrossthebottomofLizzie’sbed.)By1877Chantrelleandhiswifenolongersharedabedroom,hesleepinginthefrontroom,alsocalledthenursery,withthetwoboysEugene(alsoknownasJack)andLouis.

Chantrellewasnotbytemperamentafamilyman,thoughhewasfondofthechildren.Hewasnotmuchinthehouse,exceptwhenteaching,andtookfewofhismealswiththefamily.Heusuallytaughtathomefromninetoteninthe

morning,andagainsometimesintheeveningfromseventonine-thirty.Hehadanotherpupilwhocamesomeafternoonsfromtwotothree,andtwoyoungladieswhocameonSaturdaymorningsfromtwelvetoone.SincehealsotaughtatLeithHighSchool,andperhapsprivatelyatotheraddresses,hehad,evenat

theend,(forthesetimesweregivenbyMaryByrne,themaidwiththeminthelastyear)asufficientlyfullteachingload.Hecanhardlybeaccusedofnotworkingtosupporthisfamily.YetLizziecomplainedthathisteachingwasfallingoff.

Thatcouldhavebeentrue,forhishabitshadbecomeincreasinglydissipated.Bythemidseventieshewascertainlydrinkingexcessively.Themaidcomputedthathewouldgetthroughabottleofwhiskyaday,andaddedthatshehadalsoseenhimdrinkwine.Sinceheregularlyhadaglassofwhiskybroughtupwithhisearlymorningcupoftea,therecanbelittledoubtthathehadcometodependonalcohol.(Themaid’sestimateignoresanythingthathedrankoutofthehouse,ofcourse,andhewasaregularhabitueofthelocalhotels.OnNewYear’sDay1878,forinstance,thedayLizzietookill,hespenttheafternoonintheHanoverHotelroundthecornerfromoneo’clocktillaquarterpastfour.)Thereisindeedgoodreasontosupposethathehaddriftedintothedangerous,thoughnothopeless,conditionofthemanwhoreliesonalcoholtokeephimgoing,whocanhardlyconceivelifewithoutit,andwhodoesnotobservehowhisfacultiesaredistorted,andhismoraljudgementimpaired,bytheverydrugonwhichhedepends.

Drinkwasn’thisonlydissipation.HewaswellknownasafrequenterofthebrothelssituatedinClydeStreet,anarrowinsalubriouslanetothenorthofGeorgeStreet.In1876whenLizzieapproachedaprivatedetectivewiththerequestthathereportonherhusband’smovements,shewasassuredthatthatwashardlynecessary,asthedetectivehimselfhadseenhiminabrothel.AtChantrelle’strialtheCrowncalledoneBarbaraKay,whoproudlydescribedherselfasthekeeperofabrothel,butherevidencewasdispensedwith,thepointbeingalreadyaccepted.Later,legendsweretogrowaboutthis.SirHenryLittlejohn,SurgeonofPolice,toldthecriminologistW.N.

Roughead,thatitwasChantrelle’spracticetotakealoadedpistolwithhimtothebrothels,`whichhewouldplayfullydischargetotheterrorofhisentertainers’.Presumablyonlyagoodcustomercouldgetawaywithsuchconduct.Nodoubttherewasagooddealofunsavouryevidence,aswasshownbytheDefence’sreadinesstoacceptthefactandskateoveritsimplicationsasquicklyaspossible.Chantrelle’sCounselwastotrytoexcusehisconductinthis,andotherrespects,inwhichhefellshortofthestandardstobeexpectedfroma

fatherofafamily,byremindingthejuryofChantrelle’snationality.ItwasnottobeexpectedthataFrenchmanwouldbehaveasmorallyasaScot.

Worseeventhanthisimmoralitywashisviolence.Someofitwascertainlynomorethanviolenceoflanguage-exservantafterexservantreportedthathecalledhiswifefrightfulnames,manyofthemtooawfultobearrepetition.Theleastoffensivewere`bitch’and`whore’.Hedidnothoweveralwaysstopatwords.Notonlydidhefrequentlythreatentokillher(withpoison,intheuseofwhichheboastedofhisabilitytooutsmarttheprofessors),buthestruckheronanumberofoccasions.Suchrowswerecommonintheearlyyearsoftheirmarriage,aholidayatPortobelloin1871beingparticularlymemorable…Lizziewrotetohermother:

`ImighthavebeensleepingforanhourormorewhenIwasawakenedbyseveralsevereblows.Igotoneonthesideofmyheadwhichknockedmestupid.WhenIcametomyselfIcouldnotmovemyface,andthismorningIfindmyjawboneoutofitsplacemymouthinsideskinnedandfesteringandmyfaceallswollen.Theservantswhosleepinthenextroomhearditall,besidesthewomantowhomthehousebelongs.Theyheardhimsaythathewouldmakemincemeatofme…wellmammaifyoudonotwantmetobemurderedoutrightyoumustseethatallIcandoisleavehimatonce.AllIhopeisthathemaygoawaytoo.Astogettinganythingfromhimimpossible.Butsurelywherelifeisconcernedyouwouldneverhesitate…Iamsorrytotroubleyoubutifhemurdersmeyoumighthavebeensorrynottohaveheardfromme….’

Aningenuousandsurelyunexceptionalconclusion.

Hernextletterrepeatedthat,`thethreatsaresomethingfearful’but,oddly,wentonatoncetocomplainthat,`itisverydullhere’.ThatletterwasinterceptedbyheruncleJamesCullen,whosentitontothegirl’smotherwithascribbledpostscriptsaying,`Iopeneditincaseofurgency’.Clearlyhoweverhefoundnothingurgentinthefrightfulthreats.AfewdayslaterLizziewroteagain,thistimetorecountascenesoalarmingthatthe.maidshadgoneoutinsearchofapoliceman.Theyhadreturnedwithtwoofficers,butLizziehadpersuadedthemtogoaway.`Ishouldnothavebeenafraidofthree,buthecouldhavefoughtthe

twoeasily’,acuriousreason,especiallyasshewentontosay,`Christinaheardhimsaythathewouldmurdermeandthechildren’.

NoneofthesepicturesoflifechezChantrellerousedMrsDyertoaction.Possiblyshewasindifferenttoherdaughter’sfate;possiblyshewasaversetothescandalthataseparationwouldattract;mostprobablyshewasfullyawareofLizzie’sloveofself-dramatisation.Chantrellehimselfwastostressthiselementinhercharacterinhisfirstdeclarationtothemagistrateson8January,1878:

`Therewasagreatdealofaffectionbetweenmylatewifeandmyself,butshewassometimesfunny;forinstance,whenIwasgoingouttoteachatLeithHighSchoolshewouldtellmeshewasgoingtodrownherself.Thishappenedseveraltimes,andIwouldsay“Nonsense,mydear,whatwouldyoudothatfor?”OneSaturday,whensheplayedthesamegame,IwassoannoyedthatIsaidtoher,“Goaheadanddoit.”’

Shedidnotobey,anditseemslikelythatMrsDyerreceivedherfearsofbeingmurderedwithsomethingofthesamescept.icism.Thatdidnotmeanthatsheabatedherdislikeanddistrustofherson-in-law;merelythatshechosenottobeover-concernedbyfearsthatshethoughtexaggeratedand,inasense,self-indulgent.Allthesame,onseveraloccasionsduringhermarriage,Lizziedidrunawayfromherhusband

andtakerefugewithhermother.Butthebreachneverlastedlong.Foronething,asChantrellemaintained,`shecouldnotbetherelongwithoutabigfight’.

Althoughthesefearsmightbeexaggerated,theywerenotwhollyvain.IndependentevidenceofChantrelle’sviolenceexists.TwoservantssawLizziestruckandChantrellewascertainlyfondofbrandishinghispistols,whichhekeptloaded.(Helikedtofireattheparlourorschoolroomwall,also.)OntheirlastsummerholidayatPortobelloinAugust1877,therewasanaccidentinvolvingtheireldestchild,Eugene,anaccidentthatwastotakeonagloomysignificance.Moreover,thepreviousyear,Chantrelle’sbehaviourtoLizzieandtheirservantoncebecamesoalarmingthatthetwowomensalliedoutintoGeorgeStreetinthemiddleofthenighttofetchapoliceman.SergeantRobertBrassrecountedtheincidentinthefollowingterms:

`OnSunday,30thApril,1876,whenIwasinHanoverStreet,Madame

Chantrelleandaservantcameuptomeabout4.30inthemorning.Theywerenotfullydressed.Madametoldmethatherhusbandhadcomeinandbrokenintotheservant’sbedroom,andthreatenedherself.Hethreatenedtouseviolencetoher.’

AskedwhetherLizziehadsaidanythingaboutherhusband’streatmentofheringeneral,SergeantBrassreplied,`Thatitwasverycruel.Shesaidshecouldnotputupwithitanylonger,andthatImusttakehimtothePoliceOffice.Shesaidhehadstruckherrepeatedlyandthatthelanguageheusedtoherwasverybadandofanobscenekind.Shesaid,also,thathishabitswereverybad,andthathewentaboutthenighthouses,andthat,ifhewastakentothePoliceOffice,herfriendsmighttakeupthecaseandgetaseparationforher…WhenIwenttothehousethedoorwasopenedbythePrisoner.Ithinkhehadbeendrinking.Iapprehendedhim.WhenItoldhimthathemustcomewithmetothePoliceOfficeheliftedabutter-knifethatwasonthetable.Heusedobscenelanguage.Hethreatenedhiswifemorethanoncethen,andonthewaytothePoliceOfficehesaid,“Iwilldoforthebitch

yet”…HewasconvictedinthePoliceCourtandboundovertokeepthepeace.’

Ithadbeenanawkwardanduglyscene,evenifnotwithoutitsridiculousaspects,thebutter-knife,forinstance,hardlybeingthemostterribleofweapons.Toanotherpoliceman,ConstableMcKenzie,whointerviewedLizziethefollowingday,thepoorgirlexpatiatedontheincident.Shetoldhim,`thatherhusbandwasverydrunkontheSaturdaynightandSundaymorning,andthatwhentheservantwentintotheroomtoseethatthegaswasallright,hethreatenedtostrikeher.MadameChantrellewentintotheroomtosavetheservantandhethreatenedtodothesametoherifsheinterfered….Shewasverymuchafraidofhisill-usagewhenhereturnedhomeatnightundertheinfluenceofdrink.’

Thelastisthecrucialphrase.TherecanbelittledoubtthatdrinkcontributedtoChantrelle’sviolence,releasingthepentupresentmentofamanwhofeltthatsomehowlifehadcheatedhim;thatitsrewardswerelessthanhistalentsdeserved.Yetthisrealisationsetsthemarriageinbetterperspective-itwasunsatisfactorybutagooddeallessthanabsolutelyintolerable.SinceChantrellecontinuedabletofulfilhisteachingduties,itislikelythatthedrunkennessand

accompanyingviolencewereintermittent.Certainlyhemaintainedagoodreputationinsomequarters.WhenheappliedforthevacantpostofFrenchmasterattheHighSchoolin1877hewasabletosupporthisapplicationwithnofewerthannineteentestimonialsfromprominentcitizens.Thathedidnotsucceedinobtainingthepositiondoesnotproveanythingagainsthim;theremaysimplyhavebeenamoreobviouslysuitablecandidate.OfcourseinacitylikeEdinburghtherewereinevitablyrumourssuggestingthathewasnotperhapsthemostentirelyappropriateinstructoroftheyoung;eveninaschoolwheretherewerenogirls.

Causesforquarrelswerenothardtoseek.BothChantrelleandLizziewerejealous.InhisDeclarationhestatedthatshewas`extremely’so.`Shewouldobjecttomytakingmyhatofftoapupil,andtoallsortsofthings.OnoneoccasionIwassmokingandsippingmycoffeeafterdinnerwhenshecameintotheroomandlookeddaggersatmeandwalkedaway.She

afterwardsaskedmewhatImeantlookingat“thatwoman”.IassumedshemeantawomanwhomIsawatalodging-housewindowopposite.Shesaid,“whatdoyoumeanbystrokingyourchinather?”ItoldherthatIneverdidthisatawomaninmylife.’Lizzieofcoursehadlivelyreasonforhersuspicions.SheknewfromherownexperiencebeforemarriagethatChantrellewasnotlikelytoallowhisdesiretobecontrolledbymoralityorevenprudence.(Heofcourseknewthesamewastrueofher.)Shewasalsoawarethatheregularlymadeadvancestotheirservants,andshewasquicktoaccusehimofthis,evenwhenevidencewaslacking.

Onesuchaccusation,accordingtoChantrelle,reboundedonher.Thisservant,whosenamehecouldnotremember‘Ineverdorecallthenamesofservantswhohavebeenwithus’wasdismissedbyLizzieonmeresuspicion.Shereturnedthenextday,supportedbyheraunt,whosepresenceshehopedwouldlendauthoritytohernarrative,toinformChantrellethathiswifehadbeencarryingonanintriguewithayoungmanwholivedonthecommonstair.Chantrelleinvestigatedthematter,and,thoughunabletoproveanythingbeyondthefactthatLizzieandtheyoungmanhadchattedtogether,yetcontrivedtoextractanapologyfromhim.

OfcourseChantrellewasjealous-hehadahighsenseofwhatwasduetohim.

MoreoverheknewLizziewasbeautifulanddesirable-hadnothedesiredherhimself?Heknewshewassusceptible;hadhenotseducedher?Hecouldhardlybelieveherchaste,norcouldhebelievethathervirtuehadgrownwithexperience.Hesoondetectedanotherliaison.Thesameservant-girlwashisinformant.Throughherhediscoveredthatacertainyoungman,whoworkedinabank,hadgivenLizzieascentbottle,whileshehadgivenhimacigarcaseinreturn.Incensedbythisexchangeofpresents,Chantrellesettowork.Heobtainedacigarcaseofthesamepatternfromthesameshop,confirming,ashedidso,thatLizziehadmadeapurchasethepreviousChristmas.Afteranumberofaccusations,whichelicitedonlyviolentdenialsfromLizzie,Chantrelleconfrontedherwiththecigarcase.`Shetookagooddealofpersuadion,andatlengthconfessedtorepeatedadulterousintercourse’,hedeclared.Againheobtainedan

apology,andthistimealsoasolatiumofœ50,whichheclaimedtohavesenttothehospitalinNantesbywayofhisaunt.Theseweretheonlytwoaffairsheclaimedtohavedetected,andthoughthereisundeniablysomethingoffensiveinhisposeasaninjuredparty,thereisnothingincredibleinhisaccusations.Giventhecharacterandthecircumstancesofthemarriage,theyseemprobableenough.Moreover,contemporarymoresmaybeheldtosomeextenttomitigatetheoffensivenessofChantrelle’sbehaviour.Onelawformenandanotherforwomenwas,inthenineteenthcentury,agiventruth,almostunchallenged.

However,Chantrelledidmakeoneotheraccusation,sogrossandscandalousthathedidnotdaretorepeatitinhisDeclaration;possiblybecausehecouldbringnothingtosubstantiateit.Thiswasachargeofincest.Lizziehadatwinbrother,John,towhomshewasclose,thoughnomoresothantwinsoftenare.Chantrellechosetofindsomethingexcessiveintheirrelationship.InAugust1874hewrotetoJohnDyerinthefollowingextraordinaryterms.

`Sir,Ifindthatonthe21stulto,youwereinmyhousefora

considerabletime,andremainedwithmywifealone,myelderboyEugenebeingcarefullykeptoutofthewayonsomefutilepretext,andnotallowedtocomeinduringthetimeyouwerethere.

Mywife,yourownsister,havingrefusedatfirst,deniedthatyouwereinthe

houseatall,andhavingafterwardsrefusedtoansweranyquestionsaboutthewayinwhichyouspentyourtimetogether,Ibegofyoutogivemefullinformationasto:1sthowandforwhatpurposeyoucametobeinvitedtomyhouseinmyabsence.2ndlyHowandinwhatmanneryouspenttheconsiderabletimethatyouwerethere.

Iwishtomakenoinsinuationsofanykindforthepresent,whatIobjecttointhemeantime,isthemysteriouswayinwhichthemeetingofyouandmywifetookplace,andtheamountofuntruthswhichshehastoldmewithregardtothisbusiness,namelygivingmedeliberatelyandwil96

fully,Isuppose,thewrongaddress,whenIwishedtocallonyoutohaveapersonalinterview.

Ishallwaituntil12o’clockp.m.,Tuesdaythe4thinst,foryouranswer,whichmustbecategorical,andclear,andfull.Failingwhich,Ishallseewhatfurtherstepstotake.

Believeme,Iwishtokeepthismatterbetweenus,ifpossible;thiswilldependentirelyonyou.

Yourobedly,

EChantrelle.’

Thiswastheletterofamanwhosebalancewasatbestprecarious,whosepropensitytosuspicionandjealousywasextreme.Yet,takenaswehaveitinisolation,itmaybemisleading;thatis,notknowingwhathadprecededit,wemayfailtointerpretitproperly.ItispossiblethatChantrelle’ssuspicionswerenotentirelyabsurd;orthattherehadbeensomeearlieroccurrencewhichhadledhimtotrytoimposeabanonhisbrother-in-law.Thefirstinterpretation,thatitdisplaysamorbidjealousy,isdoubtlessmoreprobable;thealternativeshouldnotbedismissedasunthinkable.Certainly,thisletter,andtheaccountsoftheyoungmanonthestairandtheotherinthebank,gotosuggestthatChantrelleneverbecameindifferenttohiswife.

In,fact,suchevidenceasthereiNindicatesthatrelationsbetweenthemshowedsomeimprovementinthelasteighteenmonthsofherlife.ItwasasifthePolice

Courtincidenthadhelpedtopullhimup.IthadhadaneffectonLizzietoo.Herimmediatereactionhadbeenthatshehadhadenough.Shemustgetawayfromthisman.AccordinglyshehadallowedtheprivatedetectiveMcDonald(whohadtoldherthathehadseenherhusbandinthebrothels)totakehertoasolicitorcalledCharlesHogg.ShetoldMrHoggthatshewantedaseparationfromherhusband,andassuredhim,`thattherewouldbenodifficultyingettingevidenceofadulteryandoffrequentingbrothels’;there,afterall,wasMrMcDonaldtoofferit.However,shethencametotheheartofthematter;wouldtherebe,`anyexposureaboutit’?MrHogghadtoadmitthatitwasprobabletherewouldbesome.Thatwasenough.Lizzieshookherheadandstatedthat,`onthat

ground,forthesakeofherfriendsandfamily,shewouldnotproceed’.

Ithadbeenatbestahalf-heartedattempt.Herhesitationwasnatural.Shewasafraidoflosingthechildren,and,withouttheassuranceofsupportfromherownfamily,darednotproceed.PossiblyherfeelingsaboutChantrellewerestillmixed.Themostcogentargumentwassocial.Asamarriedwomanshehadarespectableposition,whateverthecircumstancesofhermarriedlife.Separated,hersituationwouldbequitechanged.Itwasnotacourseshedaredembarkonwithoutencouragement.Moreover,accordingtoMrsDyer,ChantrellehadthreatenedLizziethathewouldshootherifshelefthim.UnfortunatelyMrsDyercouldnotrecallthedateofthatparticularthreat,anymorethanshecouldrememberjustwhenhehadsaidhewouldblowupherhouseifLizziewenttolivethere.NoneofthishadbeenenoughforMrsDyer,whohadnevergonesofarastoconsultaprofessionalmanaboutherdaughter’srights,`tohavethechildrenifshewasseparatedfromherhusbandwhenhewasill-treatingher’.OnecannotescapetheconclusionthatMrsDyerpreferredthatherdaughtershouldenduresufferingsothatshemightremainrespectable.Thatis,ifshebelievedwhatLizzietoldherinthefirstplace.

SoLizziestayed,andmatterswentalittleeasier.True,MaryByrne,theirlastservant,didnotfindmuchtocommendinChantrelle’sbehaviourtohiswife:`hewasnotverykindtoher.Heneverwentoutwithher;hewasnotveryattentive…theydidnotgetonverywelltogether…heusedbadlanguagetoher…Iheardhimsaytoher“Gotohell”and“Gotostaywithyourmother”….Ontheotherhandshecouldnot`recollectanystronglanguageinGeorgeStreetaftercomingupfromPortobello’;andsheadmittedthatChristmas1877hadpassed

offpleasantly:`Master,mistressandchildrendinedtogetherthatday.Therewassomethingextraonthatday-apuddingandabottleofchampagne.SofarasIcouldsee,thefamilywerehappyandspentamerryChristmas.’

Shewassupportedinthisbythemostpatheticevidenceofferedatthetrial,thatoftheChantrelles’oldestchild,young

Eugene.Theboyadmittedthathehadseenhisfatherstrikehismother,andheardhimcallherbadnames,but,aftertestifyingtohisfather’sinvariablekindnessandgenerositytowardshimselfandhisbrothers,said,`hewaskindtoMammatoo.ItwasalongtimebeforeMammadiedthatthehardwordsandtheswearingtookplace.Ican’tsayhowlongsincehestruckheronthehead.ItwasinGeorgeStreetbeforewewenttoPortobello.PapawaskindtoMammalately.IhadnothingtocryforforagoodwhilebeforeMammadied.WealldinedtogetheronChristmasDay.Wehadabottleofchampagne,andpapaandmammawerekindtoeachother.Therewasnoquarrellingnorweretherebadwords….’

Suchevidencerangwiththetruthfulinnocenceofpathos,butcouldstillbemadetosoundsinister.Whenacouplewhohavebeenonnotoriouslybadtermsarethenreconciledfornoapparentreason,andthisreconciliationissoonfollowedbythedeathofoneoftheparties,theexperiencedreaderofdetectivefictionhasnodoubtwhomthepolicewillfirstsuspect.Inasense,ofcourse,theaccusedinamurdertrialisinahopelessposition,whenthecircumstancesarelikethis.Ifhecontinuesonbadtermswithhisspouse,thatisevidenceofmotive;ifheeffectsareconciliation,thatismereduplicity,andthemotiveremainsthere,workingunderthesurface.Motiveneverevaporates.

Thejurywerenottobeimpressedbythisevidenceofimprovedrelations.OtheraspectsofChantrelle’sconditionandcircumstancesintheautumnof1877werecalculatedtocarrymoreweightwiththem.First,therewastheevidenceofhiscontinuedheavydrinkingandconsequentneglectofLizzie.Mary-Byrne’saccountofhisalcoholichabitswasfullandconvincing.`Hetookagooddealtodrink.Hetookwhiskyandwater.Hefinishedaboutabottleaday.ItwasshortlyafterwecameupfromPortobellothatInoticedhewastakingthatlargeamountofliquor.Icouldnoticetheeffectsonhim.’Thejurywouldhavelittledoubtwhatconclusionstodrawfromthatsortofevidence.

EvenmoreimpressivewaswhattheyweretolearnofChantrelle’sfinancialdifficulties;theseweretherealthing,proofpositivethathecouldnotbetrusted,forhehadoffend99

edthefirstlawofVictorianwisdom:`whomtheGodslove,dierich’.TheLordAdvocatesummedupthepositionwithsuccinctdistasteinhisaddresstothejury:

`Hewasnotapennilessman;buthewasaneedyman.HewasaskingtillChristmastimetopayasmallbalanceofabillforœ18.Thebalanceathisbanker’shaddisappeared.HiswifetoldMrsBairdthatherhusband’steachingwasfallingoff,andthattheywouldprobablyhavetogotoLondon;andshetoldhermotherthattheywereœ200indebtandhadnothingtopayitwith.’

Thiswasnotquiteaccurate-itwasherbrothershetold,nothermother;buttheimpressionconveyedofamandesperatelysearchingformoneywassupportedbyotherevidence,andnowherecontradicted.True,therewasnoevidencebeyondthatofferedbyMrsBaird,anoldfriendofLizzie’snowsettledinLondon,astothedeclineinChantrelle’sbusiness,anditmightseemtobecontradictedbyMaryByrne’saccountofhisteachinghours.Still,itis,forreasonsalreadyadumbrated,likelyenoughthathewaslessindemand,partlyperhapsfromagrowingdisinclinationonhispart,thisdisinclinationbeingfosteredbyhisdevelopingalcoholism.Hehadbeenteachingforagoodmanyyears;itwouldnotbesurprisingifhewasboredanddisillusioned,especiallysincehisparticularbranchofteachingisonewhichmakesheavydemandsontheinstructor’senthusiasmandpersistence;bothqualitieswhichalcoholicaddictionwilldull.

Certainlythatautumnhewaslookingforanalternativesourceofincome.InSeptembertheScottishmanageroftheStarAccidentalAssuranceCompanyadvertisedforagents.Chantrelleapplied.Hewasappointedonthebasisofhiswrittenapplication,withoutreferencesbeingtakenup.Yet,ifheintendedtomakesomethingofthis,helackedthenecessaryperseverance.HeonlydidonebitofbusinessfortheCompany,persuadinganacquaintance,oneWilliamReid,anupholstererinGeorgeStreettowhomChantrellehadactedasmedicaladviser,toinsureagainstaccidentaldeath.HisonlyothercontactwiththeCompanywascurious,andconsider100

ableemphasiswaslaidonitatthetrial.

ThiswasaconversationhehadwithMrMacwhinnie,themanager,astojustwhatconstitutedanaccidentunderanaccidentalinsurancepolicy.Hebeganbysayingthathehadrecentlymetwithanaccidenthimself,whichhadturnedhisthoughtstothesubject.(Itwastrue;hereferredtotheoccasionatPortobello,whenyoungEugenehadinadvertentlyfiredoneofChantrelle’spistols,lodgingaballinhisfather’sthumb.)ChantrellenowtoldMacwhinnieofafriendwhohaddied,inmysteriouscircumstances,aftereatingaWelshRarebit,Macwhinniewascertainthatsuchadeathwouldnotbecoveredbythepolicy,eventhoughthedoctorshadnotbeenabletosaywhathehaddiedof.Therewouldhavetobeanascertainedcauseofdeath.Chantrellethenbroughtupthecaseofapersonwhowentoutswimming,sayatPortobello,caughtcrampanddrowned;howaboutthat?Wouldthatcountasanaccident?Thistimetheanswerwasmoresatisfactory.Chantrellerecountedthepistolincidentingreaterdetailandsaidheintendedtoinsurehimselfandhiswifeagainstafatalaccident.MrMacwhinniesuggestedheshouldrathertakeouttheirordinaryformofpolicy,whichofferedsomuchforfatalaccidents,andanallowanceforinjurieswhiletheeffectofsuchinjurieslasted;Chantrellewasnotinterested;he`evincedadesiretobecoveredonlyagainstfatalinjuries’.However,hedidnotfillupaformatthetime,sayingthathethoughtheshouldgivethematterfurtherconsideration.Insteadhewenttoanotherinsurancecompany,theAccidentalAssuranceAssociationofScotland,wherehetookoutthreepolicies.One,forMaryByrne,theirservant,wasforœ100intheeventof-deathandanallowanceoffifteenshillingsaweekduringdisablement.ThesecondwasinfavourofLizzieandwasforonethousandpoundsagainstaccidentaldeathonly.Thethird,inhisownfavour,wasinthesametermsasLizzie’s.

ThatwasinthemiddleofOctober.Thereweresomeunusualfeaturestothetransaction.First,itwasrarefor`policiestobetakenoutinthenameoffemales’.IndeedthemanageroftheAccidentalAssuranceCompanystatedthatoftheeighthundredpoliciestheyhadissuedinthisthefirstyearofoper101

ation,thiswas`thefirstandonlyapplicationofthekind’.ThentheCrownwastomakeChantrelle’selicitingoftheinformationastotheexactmeaningofthe

term`accidentaldeath’looksinister.Itwasstrangethathehadsoughtthisinformationfromonecompany,andthentakenoutpolicieswithanother-`anoffice’,astheLordAdvocatesaidpointedly,`whereheaskednoquestionsofthekind’.

ItisnottoomuchtosaythattheinsurancepolicyhangedChantrelle.Ontheonehand,itgavehimaclearinterestinLizzie’sdeath(aslongasitboretheappearanceofanaccident),andthussuppliedamotivecomprehensibletoeventhemostunimaginativejury;ontheotherhand,ifhewasinnocentofmurder,itwastoprompthimtoanactoftotalfolly.YetthereweregoodreasonswhythethoughtofinsuranceshouldhaveoccurredtoChantrelle.ThepistolaccidentatPortobellohadactuallyhappened.Hehadbeenwounded.Hemighteasilyhavebeenkilled.SomightLizzie.SomightMaryByrne.`Wasitwonderful’,asChantrelle’sCounselasked,`thattheprisonerproceededtoinsurehislifeandthatofhiswifeagainstaccident?Thatwastherealreasonhedidit.Itwasadesperatelyunnaturalreasontosuggestthatheinsuredhiswifeagainstaccidentbecausehewantedtokillherandmakemoneytopaythebutcher’sbill.’Perhapsso;butmurder,asthejurymayhavereflected,especiallydomesticmurder,isitselfa`desperatelyunnatural’act.Itwasalso,ifMrsDyerwastobebelieved,areasonthathadoccurredtoLizzie.

`Aboutsixweeksbeforeherdeath’,saidMrsDyer,`shetoldmethatMrChantrellewishedtoinsureherlifeinanaccidentinsurancecompany.Heexpected,shesaid,togetanagency,andsaidhemeanttoinsurehisownlifeandhersaswell.Mydaughtersaidshedidnotcaretohaveitdone;thatshedidnotseetheuseofit,asshewasnottravellingaboutanywhere….OntheThursdaybeforeherdeathsherevertedtothesubject…shesaidtome,“mylifeisinsurednow,and,mamma,youwillseethatmylifewillgosoonafterthisinsurance.”Isaid,“youaretalkingnonsense;youshouldnotbeafraidofthat;there’snofearsofthat.”Shereplied,“Icannothelpthinkingofit;somethingwithinmetellsmeitwillbeso…

Thoughassertingthatherdaughterseemed`underreal

apprehension’theegregiousMrsDyerdidnothing.ShewasaccustomedtoLizzie’sfears;theywereheroldfriends.Shehadfrequentlycommunicatedherhusband’sthreats:`thathecouldgiveherpoisonwhichtheFacultyofEdinburgh

couldnotdetect.Shewasseriouswhenshetoldmethat-underrealalarm’.

MrsDyerhadnotbeenabletorespondwithequalseriousness;perhapsshewassimplyboredbyLizzie’sapprehensions.Shehadcried`wolf’toooften,hadbeencryingitfortenyears,andthereshestillwas.`Threatenedpeoplelivelong’wasaproverbquotedbyChantrelle’scounsel,MrTraynor.MrsDyerseemstohaveagreed.SheknewherLizzietoowelltobeputoutbyher`realalarm’and`realapprehension’.Sosheignoredherlatestfears,justasshehadneverbotheredtoconsultalawyeraboutLizzie’srights.MrsDyerwasanxioustoavoidacandal.

SuchthenwasthestateoftheChantrellehouseholdattheendoftheyear.ThefamilyhadpassedamerryandagreeableChristmas,duringwhichfinancialproblemsseemtohavebeensetaside.Lizzie’shealthwasgenerallygood,thoughshewasinclinedtosleepbadly.AsaresultsometimeinDecemberthe,twoolderboyswentthroughtosleepintheirfather’sroom,eventhoughtheyhadallthreetosleepinthesamenarrowbed.

OnNewYear’sEve,Lizziewasin`verygoodspirits’,accordingtoMaryByrne,whoseevidencegivesaclearandlargelyreliableaccountofthecourseofevents.Hermotherhadsentacakeandsomeshortbread.Shebusiedherselfdoingsomeshoppingandplayingwiththechildren.Thebabywasputtobedabouthalfpastsix,and,whenChantrellecameinalittlelater,theyallhadsupperwithabottleofchampagne,thesurvivorofapairboughtforChristmas.LizziegaveMaryByrneaglass,butshedidnotcareforit,andgaveittolittleLouis.AftersupperthechildrenwereputtobedandLizziethenwentouttoposttwoNewYearcards,onetohermotherandtheothertoherfriendinLondon,AnnaBaird;shepromisedMrsBairdshewouldwritealetterinadayortwo.When

shecamebackshesatwithherhusbandintheparlour.Atlasttwelveo’clockstruck,thebandsintheCastlebegantoplay,andLizziecalledMaryfromthekitchentocomeintothediningroomandlistentothemusic.ChantrellewarnedMarynottoleanoutofthewindow-‘shemightgetablow’-shethoughthemighthavebeenjoking.Soonafter,theyallwenttobed.Aquiet,uneventful,domesticday;indeferencetotheoccasion,Lizziehadstayedupacoupleofhourslaterthanshewasaccustomedtodo.

Thatdidnotseemtohaveaffectedherthenextmorning,forsheappeared

downstairsattheusualtime,betweenhalfpasteightandnine.Eugene,theoldestboy,hadcomedownearlier,abouteight,withthebaby,andhadpassedonarequestthatMaryprepareteaandtoast.Lizzietookonlyonecupofteaandonesliceoftoast,thoughsheusuallyhadabitofbaconoranegg.AfterbreakfastshesentEugeneouttobuyaduckfortheirdinner,andherselftookthebabytothekitchentowashhimasusual.ShetoldMarytoleavetheteapotbythefire,asshewouldtakeanothercuplater.`Shesaidshehadalittletouchofheadache,butnothingtosignify.’Then,leavingthebabywiththesecondboy,Louis,shewentupstairsandintoherhusband’sroom.Hesaidlaterthatshehadcometofetchtheenemamachine,whichsheusedfrequently.Towardseleveno’clockshetoldMarythatshecouldgooutfortherestoftheday,itbeingaholiday.Shewastobebackbytenintheevening.`Shedidnotcomplaintome,andshewasnotlookinganydifferentfromordinary’,saidMary.Marythenspentthedaywithfriendsorfamily,andreturnedbetweenhalfpastnineandaquartertoten.Chantrelleansweredherring.HetoldherthatLizziewasnotverywell.Shehadfeltillafterwashingthebabyabouthalfpastsix,andhadgonetobed.Maryatoncewentuptoseehermistress,withouttakingoffheroutdoorthings.Shefoundher,`lyingstrippedandinbedbelowtheclothes,thebabyatherback’.WhatstruckMaryaboutherappearancewasthat,`shewasveryheavylookinganddidnotlooksowell’.However,sheaskedMaryaboutherday,and,speakinginherusualtone,assuredherthatshefeltbetterthanshehaddoneearlier.Shesaidshewouldlikesomemilk;Maryofferedtogoandfetchsome,but

Lizzielookedatherwatchanddecideditwastoolate-theshopswouldbeshut.Marynoticedatumbleroflemonade,threepartsfull,onthebedsidetable.Lizzieaskedhertopeelanorangeforher.Shedidso,dividingitintoquarters.Shegaveheronesegmentandputtheothersonaplatewhichalreadyheldhalf-a-dozengrapes.Therewereoneortwograpeskinstheretoo.ShecouldnottellwhetherLizzieatethepieceoforangeshehadgivenher,forshenowsaidthatshewastiredandwouldneednothingmorethatnight.Maryleftherthere,withonegaslamplit-thebracketoverthemantlepiece-and,puttingoutthegasinthekitchenandthelobby,wenttoherownbed.AllthetimeshehadbeenawareofChantrelleintheparlour,thoughshedidnotseehimagainafterheopenedthedoorforher.Nextmorningwhenshewentintheretotidyup,shefoundalargeemptywhiskybottleandanashtrayfullofcigarettestubs.

Therearetwoaccountsofhowthedayhadgoneinherabsence,Chantrelle’sand

youngEugene’s.Ingeneraltheytallywellenough,though,notsurprisingly,Eugene’smemoryofwhathadhappenedseveralmonthsbeforehewascalledontogiveevidence,wasnotverydetailedandperhapsnotalwaysexact.Neverthelesstheoutlineofthedayisbeyonddispute.Chantrellewentoutaboutnoon,takinglittleLouiswithhim.HisintentionwastogofirsttothePostOfficetogetapostalorderwithwhichtopayhisIncomeTax.Iftrue,thiswouldsuggestthathisfinancialpositionwasnotabsolutelydesperate;buthemayofcoursehaveclaimedthiswashisintentioninordertocreatethatveryimpression.HoweverhefoundtheOfficeclosed,notsurprisngly,sinceitwasapublicholiday.Meetingafriend,HerrSpanier,herepairedwithhimtotheHanoverHotel,wherehespentmostoftheafternoon.`Theywereoutagoodlongtime’,saidEugene.Whiletheywereout,Lizzievomited,sittingbytheparlourfire.`Itwaslikewaterwhatshevomited’,saidEugene.HetoldhisfatheraboutthiswhenhereturnedandChantrelleaskedifshehaddrunkanychampagne.Shesaidshehadnot,andhethensentEugeneoutforsomelemonade.Laterthetwoboysweredespatchedagain,thistimeforgrapes.Chantrelletoldhiswifethatsheshould`notputher105

selfabout’,andthathewouldfinishpreparingthedinner.Theydinedaroundfiveo’clockonduckandonions,butLizzietooknothing.Shefedthebabyandthenlaydownonthesofa.Afterwardsshesaidthatshewouldwashthebaby,which,asChantrellesomewhatcomplacentlyputit,`showedthatshewasabletodoit’.Sheandthebabywereinbedtogetherbysixo’clock.Sheseemstohavedozedonandoffthroughtheevening.Theboyscalledonhertosaygoodnightbeforegoingtobedabouthalfpastnine;Eugenesawnodifferenceinherappearance.ChantrellewentoutbrieflytoHardythetobacconistinFrederickStreet,andstayedthere,byhisaccount,tillabouthalfpastten;heprobablyhadadrinktheretoo.(ThisstoryconflictswithMaryByrne’sversion,thoughthedifferenceishardlyimportant.)Afterwardshesatintheparlourwiththewhiskybottletillalmostmidnight.Hewentupstairs,undressedandcalledonLizzie.Hefoundher,hesaid,sittingupinbed.ShehadbeenreadingTheFamilyHerald.Hestayedwithherforaboutanhourandletitbeunderstoodthattheyhadmadelove.Thiswasprobablyuntrue,merelyanattempttosuggestthattheywereongoodterms.Itwasnotsupportedbyanymedicalevidence;and,apartfromhersickness,shewasmenstruating.Whenheleft,hetookthebabywithhim.HehadsaidtoLizzie,`ifyoulikeIwillgivehimtoJack(Eugene),whoisacapitalnurse’.Eugenesoonlulledhimtosleep,andChantrellereturnedtoLizzie.He

foundheroutofbed,`asifshehadgotupforsomenecessarypurpose’.Hewantedtostaywithher,butshewasreadyforsleep.

MaryByrnewasupearlyasusualthenextmorning,beforeaquartertoseven.Shewentstraighttothekitchenandsetaboutgettingwaterforteaforhermistress,butwhenshewascrossingtheparlour(wheresheobservedtheemptywhiskybottle)togetcoalandstickstolightthefire,shewasarrestedbyastrangesound.Shedescribeditas,`amoaninglikeacat’s’.Itwasrepeatedtwoorthreetimes.Firstshethoughtitcamefromthestreet,butthentracedittoLizzie’sroom.Shewassurprisedtofindthedooropenandthegasout;bothoccurrenceswereunusual.Lizziewaslyingneartheedgeofthebed,partlyonherside,partlyonherback.Thebedclothes

werethrownhalfoff,andherheadhadslippedoffthepillow.Therewasnosignofthebaby.MaryByrnethoughthermistress`awfullypale-looking’;`shehadneverseenanypersoninthatstatebefore’.Shenoticed`agreenbrown-likestuffontheedgeofthepillowandbed,likevomit’.SheshookLizzie,but,gettingnoresponsebeyondthemoaning,wentthroughtotheotherroomtocallChantrelle.Shewassurprisedtofindallthechildreninbedwithhim.`Therewasscarcelyroomfortheminthesmallironbed.’Chantrellegotupatonce,camethroughtohiswife’sbedroom,andkneltbesideher.HeaskedMaryifhermistresshadspoken.Marysaidshehadn’tandsuggestedthatheshouldcalladoctoratonce.AtthatmomentChantrelleraisedhishead,apparentlyhearingsomethinginthenextroom;hesentMarythroughtoseeifthebabywasallright.Sheobeyedofcourse,thoughshehadheardnothingherself.

Whenshereturnedtosaythatthebabywassoundasleep,shefoundChantrelle`comingfromthedirectionofthewindow,asifafterraisingthebottomsashofthewindow’.Henowaskedherifshedidn’tsmellgas.Atfirstshecoulddetectnothing,butinalittlefoundthesmellquitestrong,thoughnotwhatshewouldcall`asuffocationsmell’.

Chantrellenowsetoffinsearchofaphysician,havinginstructedMarytotestthegasatthebracketandthenturnitoff.HecalledonDrJamesCarmichaelofNorthumberlandStreet,notthenearestmedicalman.Thefamilyhadnoregulardoctor,sinceChantrelle,withhisclaimedexpertise,wasaccustomedtotreattheirailmentshimself,andmaintainedawell-stockedpharmacopeia.Heknew

Carmichaelhowever,asafellowMason.HegaveamessagetoCarmichael’sservantandhurriedhome.Carmichaelarrivedabouttwenty-pasteight.Hehadhadtodress,butsincehisservanthadgivenhimthemessageatseven-forty,andNorthumberlandStreetisatmostsevenminuteswalkfromChantrelle’shome,hehadhardlymaderemarkablespeed.

Carmichaelwassufficientlyimpressedbythesmellofgas,eventhoughthedoorandwindowhadbeenopenforsometime,toinsistthatLizziebemovedthroughtotheotherbedroom.Notunnaturallyhepreparedtotreatitasacaseofgas107

poisoning.Beinginexperiencedinsuchcases,hesentanotetoDrHenryLittlejohn,thePolice-Surgeon,whomheknewtobeinterestedinsuchmatters.HealsosentMaryByrnetogetabottleofbrandy,andusedvariousmethodstotrytoresuscitateLizzie’sbreathing.Theseincludedtheadministrationofanenemaofbrandy.Alleffortswereinvain,butCarmichaelsoonnoticedthatthebrandywasbeginningtodisappear`thoughneitherMadameChantrellenormyselftookany’.Amedicalstudent,GeorgeHarrison,whoresidedwithCarmichaelandwhocamealonglater,aboutaquarter-pastten,athisrequest,foundthat,`Chantrellehaddrinkuponhim’.Whenhearrived,Chantrellewassittingbythebed,holdinghiswife’swrists;hedidnotseemveryexcited.

BythistimehoweverDrLittlejohnhadalreadyarrived.HehadoneadvantageoverCarmichael,andasoreoneitwasforChantrelle:hehadsomeknowledgeofhowthingsstoodinGeorgeStreet,havingbeeninvolvedwithbothofthembefore.ThathadbeenontheoccasionofChantrelle’sarrest;then,LizzieandhermotherhadcalledonthepolicesurgeontosaythatChantrelle’sconduct`wassuchastomakehersuspecthissanity’.Now,althoughLittlejohndidnotsuspectthatgasmightnotberesponsibleforLizzie’scondition,hisspecialknowledgemadehimalivetowhatmightbetheimplicationsofherstate.Atfirst,hehadthoughtLizziealreadydead;thenhewascertainthatshewouldnotrecover.Heconsidereditthereforeimperativethatherfriendsshouldbethere,andaskedChantrelleifhismother-in-lawhadbeensummoned.Chantrelle,who,understandably,hadnodesiretoseeMrsDyerinthehouse,claimedthathedidnotknowheraddress.Littlejohnhadnotimeforsuchnonsense.YoungEugenewasdespatchedtofetchhisgrandmother.Littlejohnwentfurtherhowever.HesaidthatinhisopinionLizzieshouldberemovedtotheRoyalInfirmary.Chantrellemadenoobjection,andLittlejohn-leftonotherbusiness,sending

wordalsototheGasCompanythattheyshouldinspectChantrelle’shouse.Atthistimeheconsideredgaspoisoning`theonlypossibleexplanation’.

MrsDyerarrived,accompaniedbyherfamilydoctor,DrGordon,whohadcomehoweverinthecapacityofafriend108

notthatthatmademuchdifference.HelaterclaimedtohavecometotheimmediateconclusionthatLizzie’ssymptomsindicatednarcotic,ratherthangas,poisoning.Ifso,hedoesnotappeartohaveimpartedhissuspiciontoanyoneelseatthetime,forwhenLizziewasadmittedtotheinfirmaryataboutaquartertotwo,itwasassomeonesufferingfromgaspoisoning.ShewasimmediatelyexaminedbythecelebratedDrDouglasMacLagan,ProfessorofMedicalJurisprudenceattheUniversity.Hefoundher,`lyingtotallyinsensible,withthemusclesrelaxed,andthepupilsoftheeyessomewhatcontracted.Shewasincapableofbeingroused;therespirationwasinterruptedandtheheart’sactionwasscarcelydiscernible.Thepulseofthewristwasnottobefelt…theheart’sactionwassofeeblethathehadtousehisstethoscopetohearwhetheritbeatornot…‘Moreover,andmoreimportantly,whenMacLaganappliedhismouthandnosecloselytothepatient,hecoulddetectnosmellofgas.Heconcludedthereforethatitwasratheracaseofnarcoticpoisoning,possiblyopiumormorphia.HeremainedwithLizzieforaboutanhour,applyingartificialrespiration,theinterruptedcurrentofagalvanicbattery,andgivingheranotherenemaofbrandy.

Chantrellearrivedattheinfirmarywhilethiswasgoingon,andwastoldthatthecasewasnowregardedasoneofnarcoticpoisoning.HeaskedMacLaganifheknewtheyhadhadanescapeofgas.Thatwasallhisconversationwiththedoctors,butheflewoutatMrsDyer,tellingherthattheyweremurderingLizziebytheirtreatment.Hehadalowopinionofotherdoctors,andparticularlyoftheinfirmary.YearsbeforehehadtoldMrsDyerthattheyhadmurderedherhusbandthere;nowitwashis-wife’sturn.Hesaidhecouldnotremaintheretowatchthemdoso,andstormedout,toreturnhome.MaryLethbridge,anurseintheinfirmary,describedhimdemonstratingthatthegasmeterwasbrokenandthedialrunninground,bymakingacirclewithhisforefinger.Shehadthought-himreluctanttoapproachthebed,andshedidnotthinkheshowedmuchanxietyaboutLizzie.Bythetimehereturnedjustafterfour,Lizziewasdead;everyoneelsehadgone.Hehadreturnedhomeinthemeanwhile,giventhemaidmoneyto

buyfoodforthechildren’sdinner,andfin109

ishedthebrandy.Itmusthavebeenabitterhour.Apartfromotherconsiderations,theabandonmentofthegastheorywouldcertainlymeantherefusaloftheinsurancecompanytoacceptLizzie’sdeathasaccidental;andso,bangwouldgothethousandpoundshesodesperatelyneeded.Butperhapsthebrandycloudedhisperceptionsforthemoment,andhedidnotyetrealisethis.

Meanwhile,havinglaidasidethegastheory,thedoctornowstartedtoexplorethepossibilitiesofotherformsofpoisoning.Theysoonfastenedonopium.Thatraiseddifficulties.Postmortemexaminationmightrevealthecauseofdeath,but,again,itmightnot.AsDrMacLaganwastosay.`itisaveryrarethingtodiscoverchemicallytracesofopiumatallinthebody.Itis,Ibelieve,fromthelengthofthefatalillnessinopiumpoisoningthatwedonotfindit.Someoftheothervegetablepoisonsthatwefindkillmorerapidly…everypoisonisabsorbedintothesystem,butthisonedisappearsinthesystem.’Thatwasarealproblem.CertainlyLizzie’ssymptomswereconsistentwithopiumpoisoning,thoughsomethingsthatmightbelookedforwereabsent;ontheotherhandtheywerebynomeansinconsistentwithcoal-gaspoisoning-eventhedisappearanceofthesmellofgascouldbeaccountedforbyherexposuretoapureair,inwhichthesmellcouldbeexpectedtodissipateitself.However,therewereothermeansathand.Lizziehadvomited,andhernightdress,thesheetsandpillowcaseonwhichshehadbeenlying,allborethestainsofhersickness.Thesemightyieldevidencetoanalysis,and,thepolice,whohadbeenearlyalerted,tookpossessionofthem.Itwastobeurged,ontheotherhand,thatChantrellehadhadampleopportunitytoremovethemanddestroytheevidence,anopportunitywhichhehadmadenoattempttoseize;equally,itwaseventuallytobesuggestedthatothers,especiallyMrsDyer,hadhadthechancetotamperwiththem.Therewastobesomeuncertaintyastowhichstainswerepresentatwhichtime.

Itwasalsonecessarytoestablishthecauseoftheescapeofgas,forthattherehadbeenonewasundeniable,thoughitmightnotperhapshavebeenthecauseofdeath.AgasfitterwassentroundbytheCompanyonWednesday,2January,in

responsetoDrLittlejohn’snote.Heestablishedthefactofanescape,andthatitdidnotcomefromthemeter.Hethenmadenofurtherinspection:`wearenotallowedtomakeanyinspectioniftheescapeisfrominternalfittings.Thehouseholderinthatcasemakestheinspectionhimself;itisonlyforescapeatthemeterthattheCompanyisresponsible’,heexplained,givingagoodexampleoftheworkingofdemarcationpractices.Accordingly,sinceChantrelletooknoactionhimselftodeterminethecause,acriminalofficer,WilliamFrew,requisitionedtwoothergasfittersfromtheCompany,andexaminedtheflatontheFriday.Theywerenotlonginfindingthecause.Abrackethadatsometimebeenremovedfromthearchitraveofthewindow.Thefitterthrusthishandbehindtheshutterandfoundaloosepipe.Theythensearchedmorethoroughlyanddiscoveredthecorrespondingpipelyingonthefloor.Bothpipeshadbeensealedup,buttheendofonepiecehadbeenwrenchedoff.Thefittergaveitashisopinionthat,`itcouldhavebeendoneveryrapidly…youcoulddoitintwoturnsbackandforward’.

Theinferencewasclear.ChantrellehadcomeintothebedroomwhensummonedbyMaryByrne,concludedthatLizziewasdying,andatonce,thinkingoftheinsurancemoney,hadsentMaryoutoftheroomontheexcusethatthebabywascrying.Inherabsencehehadtornofftheendofthepipe,andallowedthegastoescape.Itwastheworkofamoment.Evenso,Maryhadmethimcomingawayfromthewindow.Chantrelledeniedanyknowledgeofthepipe’sexistence.Thisdenialwaseasilyshowntobefalse.InAugust1876ithappenedthatagasfitterhadbeensummonedtoinvestigateanescapeofgasinthesamebedroom,andhaddiscoveredthatitcamefromthissamepipe,whichhadbeeninefficientlysealedwhenthebracketwasremoved.AtthetimeChantrellehadsaidthat`hehadnotbeenawarethattherewasagaspipebehindtheshutter,andthatitmusthavebeenthatdamneddirtyGerman.’Itwasassumedthathereferredtoaprevioustenant.Inanycasethepleaofignorancecouldhardlybeconvincinglyrepeated.

TherecouldbelittledoubtthatChantrellehadbrokenthepipe,andthathehaddonesointhehopeofcollectingthein111

surancemoney.Yetthisexplanationleftagooddealunaccountedfor.ItdidnotnecessarilymeanthathehadmurderedLizzie.Itconvictedhimofcallousnessmorecertainlythanofmurder,anditwasclumsyandunintelligent.Yetitnearly

cameoff:Lizziewastreatedforgaspoisoning,andwasadmittedtotheinfirmaryonthatbasis.NeitherCarmichaelnorLittlejohndoubtedthisdiagnosis,thoughLittlejohn’sknowledgeoftheChantrellefamilymadehimnaturallysuspiciousofthecauseoftheescapeofgas.AndthereinlaythemeasureofthestupidityofChantrelle’sdesperateeffort,forittookonlyaminimalinvestigationtoestablishthatthegashadbeenreleasedfromthebrokenpipe,andthatthebreakcouldnothavebeen-accidental.Accordingly,ifLizzie’sdeathhadactuallybeencausedbythegas,orifthishadbeenacceptedasthecauseofdeath,itseemslikelythattheimmediatecaseagainstChantrellewouldhavebeenmoreclear-cutthanitactuallywastobe.Itcouldbeestablishedthatheknewofthepipebehindtheshutter,andthathehadtheopportunitytobreakitandthemotivetoseekanaccidentalexplanationofLizzie’sdeath.Ineverywaythentheactionwas.stupid,somuchsothatitishardtobelievethatChantrellewasinhisrightmind.

Probablyhewasnot.Theemptywhiskybottlepresentsitselfforconsiderationagain.Assuming,forthemoment,Chantrelle’sinnocence,itiseasytoreconstructwhathappened.RousedfromsleepbyMary,hewakes,hisfacultiesstillblurredbydrink,toanimmediaterealisationthat,somehoworother,forareasonhecannotestablish,Lizzieisdying.Atoncethethoughtoftheinsurancemoneypresentsitselftohim,andthememoryofhisconversationaboutthedefinitionofaccidentaldeathflashesthroughhismind.InparticularherecallsMrMacwhinnie’sinsistencethat,`theremustbeoutwardandvisiblesign-anascertainedcauseofdeath’.Anaccidentmustthereforebefabricated.HesendsMaryfromtheroom,anddoesthejob,withnothoughtofprobability,butactingratherwiththeconfusedbrillianceofthedrunk.

Whatifhewasguilty?Whatifhehadindeed,astheCrownwastoinsist,poisonedLizziewithsolidextractofopium.Inthiscasetooasatisfactoryexplanationisnothardtoseek.He

hadallalongintendedtocreatetheimpressionthatgaswasthecauseofLizzie’sdeath,sincetherecouldbenocertaintythatdeathfromopiumpoisoningwouldbeacceptedbytheinsurancecompanyasaccidental,anditmustbeinsistedthathehadnoothermotiveforkillingLizzie.(Tosuggestthathisfrequentthreatsprovidedsuchamotive,wasmerelysilly,ashisCounselwastopointout.Apartfromhisurgentneedformoney,hehadnoreasontomurderLizziethathehadnotalwayshad;arguably,less.)AllhehadtodothenwaswaituntilLizziewas

sufficientlydopedbytheopium,wait,thatis,tillshehadlapsedintoinsensibility,andthenturnonthegasatthebracketwithoutlightingit.(MaryByrnefounditunusualthatthegaswasout-shehadneverfounditlikethatbefore.)Thathadbeentheplan:toslipbackintoLizzie’sroom,andturnthehandle,gentlyfloodingtheroomwithgas,sothat,whenMarycametowakeher,thecauseofdeathwouldneverbedoubted;thatwaswhyhehadremovedthebaby,anunnecessaryactionotherwise.But,fuddledbywhisky,heforgotorbungledthejob-nodoubtthetimingwasamatterofnicediscrimination:enoughgastosuggestthecauseofdeath,butnotenoughtostupefyhimandthechildreninthenextroom.Perhapshelaydownforamoment,andpassedout.

Hemustthenhavebeenastonishedanddistressedinthemorningtofindnosmellofgasintheroomatall.There,ontheonehand,wasLizzie,certainlydyingfromtheopium;here,ontheother,was`nooutwardandvisiblesign-noascertainedcauseofdeath’,andconsequently,noinsurancemoney.Inthecircumstanceshehadtothinkandactquickly.Itwasnogoodturningonthegasatthebracketnow;thatwouldbethefirstplaceMarywouldcheck,anditcouldneveradmitenoughgasbeforethentobecredible.So,gettingMaryoutoftheroom,heattackedthepipe.Itwastheonlyhopeofsalvaginghisplan,theonlywayinwhichhecouldensurethattherewasatleastacrediblequantityofgasreleased.

ThatdecisionwasthelastautonomousoneforChantrelle.Henceforthhewasatthemercyofothers’interpretationofevents.Hehadnotlongtowait.Suspiciongatheredquickly.ThepostmortemexaminationtookplaceonThursday,3

January.Thebrokenpipewasdiscoveredthenextday,ChantrelleonthatdatestillmaintainingtoMrsDyerandhisbrother-in-lawJohnJamesDyerthatLizziehadbeenkilledbygas.Hesuggestedthatthepipemighthavebeenbrokenbythechildrenhangingtheirclothesontheshutter,anabsurdtheory.Hewasbynowdisturbedbythepoliceactivity.MaryByrnedescribedhimcomingintothekitchenontheThursdayeveningwithabottle,atumblerandthewatercrock.`Hebegantospeakabouttheofficers,andhewonderedverymuchwhattheywerewanderingabouttheplacefor.“Iwishtheywouldgivemepeace”,hesaid,“andleavemealone….DotheywanttomakeoutthatIpoisonedmywife?”’Hehadreachedthatmomentwhichcomestomurdererswhentheyrealisethattheyarenolongerfreeagents:consequences,longignored,willhavetheirinexorable

way.Theparadoxisrevealed.Themurdererkillstorealisehispower;uptothemomentofactionhispower,beingonlypotential,isenormous.Hekills,andfeelshimselfatonewiththeGods.ButtheGodsarejealousandanimatedbyirony.Fromthatmoment,hisfreedomiscurtailed.Power,actualisedandnolongerpotential,drainsaway.Subsequentactions,evensuccessivemurders,areforcedonhim:`tobethusisnothing,buttobesafelythus’.

ThepostmortemexaminationbyProfessorMacLaganandDrLittlejohnhadfailedtoestablishthecauseofdeath,buthadconfirmedMacLagan’sopinionthatithadnotresultedfromcoal-gaspoisoning.(Asubsequentchemicalanalysiswasalsotoyieldnopositiveevidence.)Howevertheanalysisofthestainsonthenightdressandbedclothesrevealedthepresenceofopium.Thoughtheycouldnotshowhowithadbeenadministered,theProcurator-Fiscaljudgedthatthecircumstancesofthedeath,theresultsofthisanalysis,andthehistoryofthemarriagecombinedtojustifyChantrelle’sapprehension.HewasthereforearrestedontheafternoonofSaturday5January,immediatelyafterLizzie’sfuneral,duringwhichhehaddisplayedanemotionwhichimpressedthosepresent.HewastakentotheCaltonJail,examinedintheCityChambersontheTuesdayandWednesdayofthenextweek,andlaythereawaitingthepreparationoftheindictmentagainsthim.

ThattooksometimeanditwasnottillMonday8Aprilthat

Chantrellewasservedwithit.Itsubstantiallyborethaton1or2Januaryhehadmurderedhiswifeinhisdwellinghousebyadministeringopiumtoherinorangeandlemonade;anditfurtherborethathehadpreviouslyevincedmaliceandill-willtowardsher,andbyhismaltreatmentandthreatshadpreviouslyputherinfearoflosingherlife.Appendedtothisdocumentwasalistof115witnessesandaninventoryof198productions,manyofwhichweretobeirrelevant.

Twopointsmaybemadeabouttheindictment.First,itwasclearthattheCrownhadbeenunabletodecidehowtheopiumhadbeenadministered,foritwasabsurdtosuggestthathehaddoctoredbothorangeandlemonade.(Howyoustuffopiumintoanorangesittingonsomeone’sbedsidetableisabitbafflingtoo.)Whattheyweredoingwasleavinganescaperoute.ThisfuzzinesswastobeahandicapfortheDefence,whoneverseemedquitecertainexactlywhattheywerearguingagainst.Infact,MrTraynorchosetodisputethecauseofdeath,the

coal-gasthereforeactingasascreeninawayironicallyoppositetothatintendedbyChantrelle.SomuchtimewastobespentindisputingthecauseofdeaththattheCrown’sfailureeffectivelytoestablishthemeansofadministrationwasneversatisfactorilychallenged.

Thesecondpartoftheindictmentwasfuzzyalso,forthefulltextreferredtoaccusationsofadulteryandincestmadebyChantrelleagainsthiswife.Thesecouldonlyconfusetheargument,forthoughitmightbeanessentialpartoftheCrown’scasetoshowthatrelationsbetweenthetwohadneverbeengood,tointroducethesematterswastoriskirrelevanceandprejudice,sinceitwasneverproposedthatjealousyhadbeenamotiveforthemurder.TheDefencethereforeobjectedtotheirinclusion.Yettheremovalofthosewordsdidnotremovethefuzziness.ItwastheCrown’scasethatthemotiveforthemurderlayinChantrelle’sfinancialpositionandintheinsurancepolicy:butagooddealoftheevidenceledwasrathercalculatedtoshowwhatanunsatisfactoryhusbandhehadbeen.Inotherwordsitwasdesignedtoblackenhischaracter,orperhaps,morefairly,torevealtheblacksideofhischaracter,sothatthejurymightbelievehimcapableofa

murderwhichtheCrownotherwisedoubteditsabilitytoprovehehadactuallycommitted.ItwasifthewholetenoroftheCrown’scasewascalculatedtodistractattentionfromtheactofmurder,anddirectittowardsthecharacteroftheaccused.AndnobodypointedoutthatallthisevidencemighthaveprovidedLizziewithamotiveformurderratherthanChantrelle;forsurelytheabusedwifehasmorereasontokill,thanthehusbandwhoabusesher.

ThetrialopenedonthemorningofTuesday7May.Itwasraining,butthatdidnotdeterahugecrowdfromgatheringinParliamentSquare,someofthemhopingforadmission,otherscontentmerelytobooandhisstheprisoner.SogreatwasthethrongthatthePolicehadtoexerciseforcetocleartheapproachesforthosewhohadtherighttoenter.Itwasnowonder.AsW.N.Rougheadputit,`intheEdinburghofthelateSeventiestheChantrellecasecreatedapainfulsensation…theaspidistrasshudderedintheirchastereceptacles.’`Itwas’,inTheScotsman’swords,`theonlysuchcrimecommittedinthecitybyamanofeducationinthelastfiftyyears.’Chantrellehadbeeninmanyacorrectdrawingroom;menofsubstanceandstandinghadknownhimasafellowMason.

Inthedockhelookedlanguidandweary.Hehadspentfourmonthsinprison,andwasstillwearingmourning.Suchproprietieshadtobeobserved,justasLizziehadbeenburiedinherweddinggown.Hisvoicewascalmandself-possessedashemadehispleaof`notguilty’.

Thetrialwastolastforfourdays,ofwhichthreeweretakenupbytheevidenceandthefourthbythespeechesoftheCounsel,thejudge’schargetothejury,andtheverdictandsentence.InevitablytheCrownwithitshugelistofwitnessestookupmostofthetime.IncontrasttheDefenceonlycalledeightwitnesses,oneofthembeingtheCrownwitnessProfessorMaclagan,recalledforfurtherquestioning;theDefencehadtorelythereforeoncounterpunching.AgooddealoftheCrowncasewasoccupiedwiththeChantrellemarriage.Thetheoryofsuicidewasquicklydismissed.Lizzie,itwassaidhadneverindicatedanydesiretokillherself(Chantrelle’sassertionthatshehad,madeinhisDeclaration,wasnever

referredto;probablywisely.)MoreoverhercardtoAnnaBairdhadpromisedaletterinadayortwo;thatdidnotsoundlikesuicide.Finallyherdevotiontothechildrenmadethewholeideaabsurd.Thequestionofthecauseofdeathresolveditselfintothechoiceofcoal-gasornarcoticpoisoning.Muchoftheevidencewasthereforehighlytechnical,anditmayreasonablybequestionedwhetherthemembersofthejurywereabletofollowsuchdetailedandfrequentlycontradictoryexposition;ortoretainit,iftheydid.Evenreadingtheevidenceishardgoing.ProbablytheyreliedontheJudgeeventuallyelucidatingitforthem,andtellingthemwhattheyshouldbelieve;herathershirkeddoingthis;correctlyenough.ThenuboftheCrowncaseherewasthatthoughthepostmortemexaminationsshowednoopiuminthebody,thestainsonthenightdressandsheetsshowedopiumclearly.Inotherwords,thoughtheycouldnotprovethatopiumhadstayedinthebody,theycouldshowthatsomeofithadcomeout;and,ofcourse,Lizziewasdead,whichwas,tosaytheleast,evidenceofsomething.

Chantrelle’spartinherdeathwasstilldifficulttoprove.Hehadofcourseconsiderableknoledgeoftheusesandeffectsofpoisons.Hehadopiuminhispossession-adrachm(60grams)ofsolidextractofopiumwhichhehadboughton25November1877.Thiswas,theLordAdvocatesaidinhissumming-upofthecrowncase,`abouttwentyorthirtydoses,eachsufficient,ifadministered,to

provefataltohumanlife.He(theLordAdvoate)didnotknowwhetheritwassuggestedthattheprisonerwasinthehabitofdispensingthatdrug.Therehadcertainlybeennoexplanationastowhatcameofthatopium.Itwasnotfoundanywhereinhishouse.Theextractheboughtin1872wasgotinthepress;buttheextractboughtinNovemberwasnotthere,andwhatcameofithedidnotknow.Butwhat,afterall,wastheevidencethathedispensed?Diddoctorsusethatamountofopiuminsuchatime?…’Thatcertainlysoundedaformidableargument,anditmaybeimaginedthatjury-headswaggedinassent.Opiumbought;opiumnottobefound;opiumthereforeinLizzie.AllthesametheDefencehadananswer,foritturnedouttherewasanotherbottleinthepress,labelledno24inthe

Crown’slistofarticles,andthiswasafluidextractofopium.SoMrTraynorwasabletosaythat,`itwasjustasobviousasthattwoandtwomakefour,ifamanwouldopenhiseyesandlookatthefact,thatthatwaswhatcameofthatdrachmofopium.Ithadbeenreducedtoafluid,andthatwaswhereithadgoneto…’Only,thereremainedthequestionofquantity,andthiswasneverresolved.So,aftermuchargument,noonewasreallyanythewiser.

TheCrownwashoweveronsurergroundelsewhere:TherewasChantrelle’sattempttocreateafalseimpressionofthecauseofdeath;therewasthebreakingofthegaspipe;therewerehisfoolishprotestationsofignoranceastothepipe’sexistence;therewasthefactthatMaryByrnehadnoticednosmellofgaswhenshefirstenteredtheroom;therewasthefact,thesortoffactwhichisalwayssignificant,thatChantrellehadbeenthelastpersontoseeLizzieonthenightbeforeshedied,andthathehad,byhisownaccount,givenherlemonadeandapieceoforange.Andthen,inagrandfinale,theLordAdvocaterehearsedyetagainthemiserablecircumstancesoftheChantrellemarriage,thestoryofChantrelle’sviolenceandofhisfrequentthreatstopoisonLizzieinawaythatcouldnotbedetected;andheassertedincontestably`thattheprisonerwasinterestedtotheextentofonethousandpoundssterlinginthewoman’sdeathbeingaccidental,that,andChantrelle’sindigence,werefactsthatcouldnotbearguedaway.Theywouldhelpthejurytobelievethat,becauseChantrellewasabadhusband,itfollowedthathewasamurdereralso.

ItwasastrongcasefortheDefencetoanswer.TheirownevidencehadbeensothinthatChantrellehadgivenventtoacryofdespairfromthedock:`isthatall

theevidencefortheDefence?’Stillitwasnotimpregnable,andMrTraynorknewit.Hebeganbyreflecting,asonereasonablemantotwelveothers,onwhathadbeensaidabouttheChantrelles’dailylife.

`TheyheardthatChantrelledidnotoftentakehismealswithhisfamily,thathedidnotsleepinthesameroomasMadame,thathedidnotriseearly,thathehadacupofteatakentohiminhisbed.Nowthejuryknew,hedurstsay

thatthesewerebuttheordinaryhabitsofaFrenchman’slife…’

Thiswasgoodman-of-the-worldstuff,flatteringtothejury.MrTraynorproceededtodismissthethreatsandtheviolenceinthesamesortoftone.Chantrellemightbeabadhusband;thereweremanyworseones,`whokickedandabusedtheirwivesasChantrelleneverdid,whowouldyetshrinkfromtheattempttotakeawaytheirlives.’Eveninfidelityandthefrequentingofbrothelswerenot,inMrTraynor’stolerantview,evidenceofintenttomurderone’swife.Hewentsofarastosuggestthatanyonewhobelievedotherwisewas,notfitforanythingelsethanaresidenceinMorningside.’(Hemeant,oneassumes,thelunaticasylumratherthanthegenteelsuburb,thoughpossiblythatmightbetheconvictionofthesuburbtoo.)Hepointedout,moreover,thatrelationsbetweenChantrelleandLizziehadimprovedintheeighteenmonthsbeforeherdeath.`ItwassuggestedbytheLordAdvocatethathecommencedtotreatherbetter(after1876)sothathemightpoisonherin1878.’ThatMrTraynorconsidered`amostextravagantsuggestion.’Thiswasthevoiceofreason;butreasonhadmoredifficultywhenitcametoconsideredthefinancialaspects.

True,hewasabletoshow,oratleastsuggest,thatChantrelle’sneedformoneyhadnotbeenurgentwhenhehadactuallytakenouttheinsurancepolicy.Hewasabletoexerciseeffectivesarcasmastohispresumedintentionwithregardtotheotherpolicyholders-didhemeantomurderthemall?Butnoneofthiswasultimatelyconvincing,forhecouldnothidethefactthatChantrelle’sfinancialpositionhadbecomedesperatesince:therewerethelettersfromtheUnionBank,pressingforpayment,thelastone(dated27December)threateningthat,unlesspaymentofthebalanceofhisbill,wasmadebytheendofthemonth,theywould,`instituteproceedingsagainstyouforrecoveryoftheDebt’;there

wastheevidenceofferedbyJohnJamesDyerthatLizzie,`saidherhusbandwasinpecuniarydifficulties,thatheowedoverœ.200,andthathehadnothingtopayitwith’.

Finally,thoughMrTraynormadeadeterminedattemptto

confusethecauseofdeath,andtosuggestthatLizziehadindeeddiedofcoal-gaspoisoning,thatstillleftunansweredthequestion:`Whobrokethepipe?’NoonecouldimaginethatthishadbeendonebyanybodyotherthanChantrelle.Thewholeironyofthecaserestedthere.Ifcoal-gashadbeenacceptedasthecauseofdeath-whichwaswhatMrTraynorwasstillstrivingtosuggest-thentherewouldhavebeenabsolutelynodifficultyinprovingChantrelleguilty.Atbest,onefeels,MrTraynormusthavebeenhopingforaverdictofNotProven;andhemightgetthatifhehadsufficientlyobfuscatedtheintelligenceofthejurymen.

TheLordJustice-Clerk,inhischargetothejury,dweltfirstonthenatureofcircumstantialevidence,onwhichthecasewhollydepended.Hesaid,`circumstantialevidence,whenitiscomplete,isassatisfactoryasanyevidencecanbe.Acombinationofcircumstances,allpointing,andpointingclearlytoonecause,willproduceconvictiononthemindsofmenasreadilyasdirectevidence…’Hetookthejurythroughtheevidencescrupulously,withfairbalance.Neverthelesshisgistwasclearenough:thecaseturnedonthecasueofdeath:ifthejuryfeltopiumpoisoninghadbeenestablished,thentheyhadnooptionbuttoconvictChantrelle,for,thatgranted,allthecircumstancespointedtohisguilt.(But,ofcourse,ifthedoctorsandtheCrownhadgoneforgas,andtheymightwellhave,thesamewouldhaveapplied.)OnlyiftheCrownhadfailedtomakeoutthatcasecouldheescape.

Thejurywereoutforanhourandtwentyminutes,longenoughtosuggestthattheyhadheededtheLordjusticeClerk’sadvicethattheyshouldgooverthereportsofthepostmortemexamination,andofthechemicalanalysisofthesheetandnightgown.Theirforeman,anEdinburghsurveyor,announced,`thejuryunanimouslyfindthepanelguiltyofmurderasLibelled.’Thetimetakenandtheunanimity(majorityverdictshavealwaysbeenpermissibleinScotland)indicatedclearlyenoughthattheyhadhadnoseriousdoubtsaboutconvictingamanoncircumstantialevidence.Theirpositionalmostcertainlywasthat,onthe

evidenceled,nootherexplanationcouldaccountforLizzie’sdeath.Itisunlikelythat,evenifithadbeenpossibleforChantrelletohavegone

intothewitnessbox,hecouldhaveledthemtobelieveotherwise.Hewouldhavemadeadisastrouswitness:glib,cocksure,readywiththeevasiveorirrelevantreply,hereekedofuntrustworthiness.

TheLordjusticeClerkpassedsentence.Chantrellewastobehangedon31May.HardlyhadhestoppedspeakingwhenChantrelleindicatedthathewishedtomakeastatement.Whathesaidwasextraordinaryenough.HecompletelycededtheDefencetheoryofgaspoisoning.Ithadneverperhapsseemedadequatetohim;now,havinghadleisuretothink,hesawitcouldservenofurtherpurpose.Awaywithittherefore.Instead,aftersomepalaverandcomplimentstothejuryontheircloseattention,hesaid:

`Iamwillingtoadmitthatthedarkstainsonthesheetandonthenightgown-andallowmetosaythatIamspeakingnotsomuchinmyowninterest(amanhasonlyonelifeandIhavesacrificedmine)-butIamspeakingintheinterestofpublicmoralityandpublicsafety;andIsayIamwillingtoadmitthatthesestainsonthesheetandonthenightgowncontainedsufficientevidencethatopiumwasthere.Igofurther:Isayopiumwasthere;Iamsatisfiedthatopiumwasthere.Iamsatisfied,further,gentlemen,thatIdidnotputitthere;thatitdidnotproceedfromMadameChantrelle’sstomach;thatitwasrubbedinbysomepersonforapurposeIdonotknow.Iknowmywordgoesfornothing.Idon’twishittogoforanything.Myreasonsforsayingthisarethese:opiumwasadministeredortakeninasolidformthatisperfectlyevident.Iftherewasopiumthereitwasinthesolidform.Weseeitwiththenakedeye.Theanalysismightnotbesufficient.Thereactionsofmeconicacidandthereactionsofmorphia,especiallyfromthechemist’spointofview,maynotbesatisfactory,thoughsatisfactoryfromthecommonsensepoint-of-view.Buthowcouldthereactionsofmorphiaandopiumhavecomethereaccidentally?Whenwefindthesmellofopiumandthebitternessofopium,whichiscertainlyverycharacteristic,lookingforopium,itisquiteenough…’

SothoughttheLordJustice-Clerk.Quiteenough,andmorethanenough-itwas

awonderhehadlethimgosofar.`Ithinkyouhadprobablybetternotproceedfurtheratpresent.’Stillhehadstartedahare,onethatwouldrun.Itwasprobablyunwise,andcertainlyironical,tohaveusedtheexpression`fromacommonsensepoint-of-view’.Acommonsensepoint-of-view,thatpreciselydescribedhowthejuryhadcometotheirverdict.Itwashardtosaypositively,onthestrengthoftheevidence,thatChantrellehadkilledLizzie,harderstilltosaythattheCrownhadthoroughlyproveditscase.Inthelongrun,thatwasnotsoimportant.NotfornothinghadEdinburghbeenthehomeofthecommonsenseschoolofPhilosophy,forwhenyoucamedowntoit,thatwaswhatoperatedhere.CommonsensecoulddevisenootherexplanationforLizzie’sdeath.CommonsensesaidthatChantrelle,thejealous,alcoholic,violent,needy,unprincipledfrequenterofbrothels,haddoneforhiswife.

Therecouldbenoappeal,butitwaspossibletoaddressapetitionformercytotheHomeSecretary.(TheOfficeofSecretaryofStateforScotlanddidnotyetexist.)Chantrellehimselfdrewupamemorial,whichhissolicitorstransmittedtoWhitehall.Meanwhile,apublicpetition,prayingforcommutationofsentence,wasalsoforwarded.ThisdrewtheHomeSecretary’sattentiontothepurelycircumstantialnatureoftheevidence,tothefactthatnoevidenceofopiumwasdiscoveredinthebodyandthat,`whenopiumwasdiscoveredonthesheetuponwhichthedeceasedlay,whichsheethoweverhadbeeninthepossessionofvariouspersons,includingtheprisoner’smother-in-law…crudestainsofopiumwerediscovereduponit.Thisstain,whileitwasverifiedtocontaincrudeopium,wasneververifiedtohavebeeninthestomachofthedeceased…further,theexperiencedinfirmarynursesworethatthedarkopiumstainwasnotonit,andwasdistinctfromtheothervomitsupontheotherlinens,whichothervomitswerefoundtohavecontainednoopiumwhatever.’

ThepetitionersthenelaboratedacasewhichhadacloseresemblancetoChantrelle’s:`asimilarcaseofsuspectedpoison122

ingwasdemonstratedbyacarefulpostmortemexaminationtohavebeenonlyacaseofkidneydisease…thepatientwasamarriedwomanofaboutthirtyyearsofage,whoselifehadbeeninsuredforalargesumonlysomesixmonthspreviously.Herhusbandwasingreatpoverty.ThecasewasunderthecareofDr

Sutherland,whowassostruckbythesymptomsinthecase,thathecalledintheaidofanindependentphysician,…who,withoutanycollusion,atonceexpressedasimilaropinionthatthecasewasoneofpoisoning.DrLittlejohn,alreadyreferredtoasaPoliceExpert,wasthenappliedto,whoexpressedasimilarconviction,nothwithstandingthatnopoisoncouldbedetectedintheurinewhichwassubmittedforexamination.Inafewdaysshedied,whenajointexamination,wherethehusband’sinterestswererepresented,laidbarebeyondthepossibilityofdisputethatthecasewasoneofundiagnosablekidneydisease…’

SotheysuggestedthatLizziehadlikewisediedofnaturalcauses,thatChantrelle,enteringtheroomwhensummonedbyMaryByrne,atonceperceivedthatshewasdying,andthat,`theevilthoughtthenoccurredtohimforthefirsttimehowhecouldturnherdeathtohisaccount.TocheattheAccidentalAssuranceCompanywastheevilsuggestion….’Insupportoftheirtheory,theMemorialistsstatedthatitwas,`inconceivablehadtheprisonerpoisonedhiswifebyopiumthatheshouldhaveretainedinhispossessionforfourdaysthedamningevidenceinthestainsuponthesheet,whichhehadamplemeansofdestroying,ontheonehand,while,ontheother,hehadaperfectknowledgethataninquirywasgoingonagainsthim.’

Thiswasspiritedpleading,anditattractedvociferoussupport.Itpositedacombinationofaccidentandmalice,amountingtoconspiracy,andtherearealwaysthose,possessedofaconstitutionaldislikefortheobvious,whowillhastentoembraceconspiracytheories.Itcouldhardlybecalledsatisfactory,forthethreelegsonwhichitrestedwereallshaky.First,itsuggestedthatsomeone,probablyMrsDyer,hadstainedthesheetwithopiumtoimplicateChantrelle;thatwasofcoursetheessenceofhisoutburstincourt,buttherewasnoevidencewhatsoevertosupportit.Clearly,itcould

havehappenedandMrsDyerhadcertainlynoreasontowishChantrellewell;butitremained’nomorethananinterestingassumption.Second,thetheoryassumedthataninnocentChantrellehadrecognisedatfirstglancethatLizziewasdyingwhenheenteredherroominthemorning;thatwasaquickdiagnosisindeed.Third,theparallelcaseprovednothing.Thekidneywasaredherring,forinthereportofthepostmortemexaminationitwasstatedthat,`theliverandkidneyswerecongested,butotherwise,boththeyandtheotherabdominal

organswerehealthy’.ItdidnotseemthenthatLizziehaddiedofkidneydisease.

Conspiracytheoriesandthelikearebetterabletoexcitetheidlethanconvincetheresponsible;andsoitprovedinthiscase.TheHomeSecretarycoulddiscovernoreasontocommutethesentence.Notevenalastminutepublicmeeting,held,appropriatelyenoughsomemaythink,attheOddfellowsHall,couldinfluencehisjudgement:Chantrellemustdie.

Hereceivedthenewsstoically.`Ifitistobe,itmustbe’,hesaid.Duringtheperiodofwaitinghehadearliershownasourmisanthropy.Awarderreportedhimassaying(‘betweenclenchedteeth’asbefittedhisrole)`WouldthatIcouldbutplaceafuseinthecentreofthisearth,thatIcouldblowittopieces,andwithit,thewholeofhumanity.Ihatethem.’InthesamespirithehadrefusedtheministrationsofaRomanCatholicpriest.Now,however,hemadethecustomaryobeisancestoreligion,confessingthathehadledanevillife,butassertingthat,deepdown,hehadalwayshadasenseofthemajestyoftheAlmighty.Inthesamecorrectandresignedmanner,heacceptedadecisionthataninterviewwithhischildrenwouldbeinexpedient.Allthiswasverygratifying;itis,aswehaveseen,notonlyproperbutpleasingtotheconsciencethatthecondemnedtodeathshouldbeseentoadmittheerroroftheirways,andreturnwithfullpenitencetothefaithoftheirchildhood.Itmakesthewholebusinessofexecutionsseemlesslikeanactofrevenge.InChantrelle’scaseitwasallthemoreremarkablebecauseheneveradmittedthathewasguiltyofthecrimeforwhichhehadbeensentenced.

Thiswasallverydecorous,thoughtheoldAdamwasnot

yetdead.AskedbytheGovernor,thenightbeforehisexecution,iftherewasanythinghewouldliketohave,hereplied:`sendinthreebottlesofchampagneandawhore.’Therequestwasdenied,andheshruggedhisshoulders.Itcertainlyhashisauthentictone,evenifitdoesnotwhollyaccordwiththelengthystatementhehadhandedovertotheprisonchaplainearlierintheevening.ThenhehadspokenofrestinghishopesonJesus;buthehadalsotakentheopportunityyetagaincategoricallytodenythemurder.Everyoneknew,hesaid,thelovehehadforhischildren;hecouldneverhaveharmedtheirmother,andhewishedthemdistinctlytounderstandthis.

So,havingassertedinnocence,andbeendeniedhiswhore,hesleptsoundlystillhewaswokenatfive.Heprayedwiththechaplain,breakfastedoncoffeeandeggsandaglassofbrandy,andsmokedacigar.Hestillworehissuitofmourning.HewasthenpinionedbyMarwoodthehangmanandconductedtotheroomofthechiefwarderwhereashortreligiousservicewasheld.Attheendofthis,thechaplainmadeafinalsolemnplea,thatheshouldnowconfessanythingwhichhehadhithertodenied.Hedeclinedtodoso.

TheexecutionwasthefirstheldinEdinburghsinceParliamenthaddecidedthatPublicExecutionsbelongedtoacoarserage.Nevertheless,acrowdhadassembled,inbrightsunlight,ontheCaltonHill,hopingtobeabletocatchofglimpseofproceedings.Theyweredisappointed.Thingsweresoarrangedthattheprocession-bailies,clergy,warders,prisongovernor,victimandhangman,-hadonlytocoversomefiftyyards,outofsightofthewatchers,toanouthouseonthewesternsideoftheprison,whichhadbeenselectedastheplaceofexecution.Theflooroftheouthouseformedtheroofofadeepcellar.Atrapdoor,railedoffwithalowblackscreen,hadbeencutinthefloorinsuchawaythat,whenaboltwasdrawn,itgavewayandwaskeptdownbytwosand-bags.Thescaffolditselfconsistedofacrossbeam,betweentwouprightsaboutsevenfeethigh.Ahookwasattachedtothebeam.Theropehungfromthehook.

Itdidn’ttakelong.Chantrellewatchedcalmlyasthelastadjustmentsweremade.Everyonewasimpressed,andprob125

ablyrelieved,byhistranquillity.ThechaplainbegantoreciteTheLord’sPrayer.Whilehedidso,Marwoodwithdrewthebolt;andthatwasthat.

OrtheFateofBastards

Therewasanarmyofthem;over20%ofthepopulationofEdinburgh,accordingtothe1881census.

Theygotupearlyinthemorning,sixo’clockperhaps,andbegancleaning,polishingtheblack-leadedkitchenranges,scrubbingthefrontdoorstepsandthearea;downontheirhandsandknees,scrubbingthestoneflagsofthekitchen;sweepingandpolishingthediningroomwherethefamilywouldtakebreakfast;ticklingthecornicesfreeofcobwebswithlongfeatherdusters.Soonitwasbathtimeforthefamily;inrelaystheywouldcarrybucketafterheavybucketofhotwaterupthree,four,fiveflightsofstairs;orperhaps,beforethen,theyhadalreadycarriedhotwaterforshavingorwashing,ortea-traystothebedrooms,wheretheywithdrewthecurtains,openedtheshutters,tidiedtheclothes,andinwinter,cleanedout,relaidandlitafire.Ifitwaswinter,thenthereweredownstairsfirestoberakedoutandlaid(thoughneverfiresfromMaytoOctober)greatscuttlesofcoaltobefilledfrombucketscarriedallthewayfromthecellarsintheareabelowthelevelofthestreet.Whatevertheseasonthekitchenrangehadtobestokedandcoalbroughtinforthat.Alldaytherewascleaning,andwashinginthegreattubsinthesub-basement,andironing,andfetchingandcarryingandwaitingonthefamily;workinthekitchen,workinthebedrooms,workalloverthetallsteephousewithitshundredandfiftystairsfrombottomtotop.Ofcoursetherewerelightermoments:mealsinthekitchen,quickexchangesofgossipandchatwiththevarioustradesmenanditinerantvendorswhocalledatthehouse-thefishwifefromNewhavenwhoalwayshadawealthofnews,thecoalman,thebutcher’s

cheekyboy,thepostman,thegrocer’sdeliveryman,theyallkeptthehouseholdintouchwiththelifeofthestreets.Butstill,muchofthetime,inthechastesquaresandcrescentsoftheNewTown,orthetree-shroudedvillasoftheGrangeandMorningside,theservants,almostallfemale,ledsecludedsecretlives..

Theyounggirlswaitedfortheeveningwhentheymightbepermittedtoslipoutforanhourortwo,orforSundaywhentheyweresometimesfreeintheafternoonbetweenchurchservices.Insomehouseholdstheyhadahalf-dayoff

onceaweek,orperhapstonceafortnight.Ofcourseprudentemployers,mindfuloftheirdutiestotheirdependents,wouldcatechisethemontheirreturn,seekingtodiscoverhowtheyhadpassedthesefewhoursofdangerousleisure,when,aseveryoneknew,Satanmightfindmischiefforidlehands.(Itwaspresumed,nodoubtcorrectly,thattheemployersthemselves,thoughfrequentlyidle,werepossessedofamoralrobustnessthatservedasaguardagainstthedevil’swiles.)Buttherewereofcoursehouseholdswherethemistresswaslessparticular,orthereweregirlswhohadtheabilitytodeceiveandfewscruplesaboutdoingso.Thesewerehighspiritedmaids,orsimplyweak,inthralltothefleshorrespondingheathilytonaturaldesire.Itdidnotreallymatterhowitwasput.Theyweregirlswho,ontheirbriefexcursionsfromService,excursionswhichmighttakethemtothedancehall,thepublichouse,tosomewastepieceofground,orforawalkalongtheWaterofLeithorinthewindyexpansesoftheQueen’sParkbyHolyrood,contrivedtogetintotrouble.

Withinafewmonthsevidenceoftheirsin,evidenceoftheirshame,wouldbeapparent.Whathappenedthentookonadivergentpattern.Sometimestheiryoungmanwasrespectableandwilling,sometimeseveninapositiontoproposemarriage.Thatwouldmeanachangeofstatus,achangeofwayoflife,butnoimpairmentoftheirrespectability-manyagoodmarriagewascelebratedwiththewifemonthspregnant.Sometimesthegirlhadamother,aunt,ormarriedsister,whowouldlookafterthebabyandmakeherselfresponsibleforthechild’supbringing.Sometimesagin-or128

whisky-soddenmidwifeperformedacrudeanddangerousabortion.Ifthathappened,thenthegirlwouldprobablyonlyhavetochangeherpost;itmightbepossiblesimplytogiveoutthatshehadbeenill.Sometimesinadarkcorner,anearlycrazygirl,hermindturnedbyshame,fearandtheexecrationshurledatherbyfamily,employersorupperservants,wouldstifletheinfantwhoseexistenceseemedthecauseofherdistress.Sometimesshethrewthechildontheparishorleftitwrappeduponadoorstep.Sometimessheadvertisedtheinfantforadoptionorcare.Therewerealwaysplentyofapplicants.Thewholethingwasalltoocommon.Over7%ofbirthsinvirtuouschurchgoingEdinburghwereillegitimate.

ThreegirlswhofoundthemselvesinthispredicamentbetweentheSpringof1887andSeptember1888wereCatherineGunnorWhyte,VioletDuncan

TomlinsonandElizabethCampbell.Allweredomesticservants.Allwerebrought‘tobedofunwelcomechildren,bastardsforwhomrespectablesocietyofferednothing.Allhadthemselvesarespectablepositiontomaintain.Theynevermet,buttheyallhadthisincommonandwerelinkedmoreparticularlybythesolutiontheysought.

Somesolution,howeverdesperate,hadtobefound.Allhadfamilieswhowerenotpreparedtotakeonthechild,andtheycoulddonothingthemselves.ElizabethCampbelldiedinchildbirth.VioletTomlinsonwasmaddenedbythestrainandshame,andconsequentlyconfined.OnlyCatherineGunnsurvived,demureintheblackuniformandstarchedcapofhertrade.`Witnesswasindomesticserviceandcouldnotkeepthechild.’Whatwastobedone?

InthecaseofElizabethCampbellwhohaddiedinchildbirth,.hersisterlookedafterthebabyfromMay1887toAugust,whentheseducer,beingknown,waspersuadedtotakeuphisresponsibility.Hewasnotlonginacquittinghimselfofit,forhestraightwayadvertisedforfoster-parents.Acouplepresentedthemselves,alittlewomaninherlatetwentiesandamansomethirtyyearsolder.ThewomansaidthemanwasherfatherandthattheirnamewasStewart.Finlay,theseducer,thengaveStewartœ5andthebaby.Heconsideredthathehaddonehisbit;œ5wasatidysumwith

whichtolaunchhisbastardontheworld.Healsohandedoverthechild’sbirthandvaccinationcertificates,andherecommendedtotheStewartsthattheyshouldnotlettheAndersons(thebaby’suncleandaunt)knowwhereitwas.Doubtlessheconsideredthatthisinjunctionwouldsavehimanypossibletroubleinthefuture.

TheStewartstookthechildtotheirlodginginDalkeithRoad,wheretheywereknownbythenameofPearson.Theyhadnotbeentogetherlong,andwerenotofcoursefatheranddaughter.Pearson,Miketohisacquaintance,wasabigbalddirtygrey-beardedman,ofindeterminateage,butcertainlyatleastfifty.Hedescribedhimself,fromtimetotime,asalabourer,thoughintheperiodwhenanythingisknownofhim,fromMay1887toFebruary1889,hislabourwasintermittent.ThewomanwascalledJessieKingorKean,ofIrishextraction,aRomanCatholic.InCourtsheappearedtothedramaticRoughead,whosefirstcasethiswas,`mean,furtive,shabbilysinister,likeacorneredrat’.Thosewho

sawherinmoreordinarysurroundingsfoundherunremarkable.TheirlandladyatDalkeithRoad,MrsPenman,saidshehadseenthemboththeworsefordrink.Itwasabondbetweenthem.

WhytheytookthenameofStewartonthisoccasion,andwhytheypretendedtobefatheranddaughter,werequestionsneverdetermined.Naturalduplicity,guiltevenbeforetheact,maybeadvancedasareasonatleastasprobablyasanyimputationofpremeditatedvillainy.Pearsonwasanywaycarelessastowhichnameheused,oftencallinghimselfMacpherson.Incourthewastobeaskedwhyhehadusedsomanynames.`Howmany?’hereplied.HisexplanationofthenameMacphersonwasrevealing;itstampshistype.`IhavegoneunderthenameofMacphersonsinceIwasaboy.IusedtogotoHighlandgatherings,andMacphersonwasanappropriatenametotakeatsuchgatherings.Theywouldfind(hecontinued)hisnameinTheScotsmanof1857asthewinnerofafirst-classprize….’TheScotsmanof1857…itwasthen1889,andherewasthisgreatdirtydrink-soddenloutharkingbackoverthirtyyearstohismomentofglory.Perhapshisfirst-classprizehadsustainedhisselfrespectthese

threedecades.

OfJessie’spastnothingisknown.Shehadtakenupwith

PearsonthatMay,whenhehadlodgingsinGiffordPark.TheystayedsixmonthsatDalkeithRoad.ThebabywasseenbyvariousneighboursaswellasMrsPenman.Oneofthese,formerlyanurse,lookedafteritonoccasion,andfounditafinehealthyinfant.Thenitdisappeared,wassimplynolongerinJessie’spossession.`Shehadsentitawaytoitsaunt’;thatwastheexplanationgiven,butnoaunteverreceivedthebaby.Noonesawitagain.Itsbodywasneverdiscovered.Theœ5were,oneassumes,exhausted.

PearsonandJessieremovedtoAnn’sCourt,Canonmills,wheretheirlandladywasaMrsMackenzie.Theywerelivingtherewhen,sometimeintheSpringof1888,AlexanderGunnwasacquired.ElizabethGunnhadbornetwinsons,whoforsomemonthshadbeenlookedafterbyanursecalledMrsMackay.Forreasonsneverexplaineditbecamedifficulttocontinuethisarrangement.AccordinglyAlexander’savailabilitywasadvertised,andoutoftwenty-ninerepliesreceived,Jessiewasselected.Onewonderswhattheothertwenty-eight

applicantswerelike,thattheyshouldhaveappearedmanifestlyinferiortoher.ShenowcalledherselfMrsMacpherson,andthistimereceivedonlyœ2withthechild.Shetoldherlandladythat,`itwasthechildofherhusband’ssisterandherownbrother’.Itwassorelyasuperfluouslie,theunnecessaryprecisionofdetailalsomarkingherasanhabitualliar.Thenurse,MrsMackay,hadsomeconscience,perhapsalsosomeaffectionforthechild.ShecalledatAnn’sCourtinAprilorMayandfoundallwell.AgainJessiehadbegunsuccessfully.ShewasmakinganefforttolookafterAlexander,eventhoughherlandladyhadhadoccasiontocheckherforgivingthebabyspirits:`thechildwascryingwhenshepouredwhiskyoveritsthroad’.However,sheemployedthedaughterofaneighbourcalledBurnietonursethebaby;JanetBurnielookedafterhimeachdayfromteninthemorningtillsixatnight.PerhapsJessiehadtakenajob;certainlyMikePearsonhadbeguntoworkaboutamonthaftertheymovedintoAnn’sCourt.

However,onemorningwhenJanetarrived,shefoundnochild.Thisbabytoohadsimplydisappeared(notthatJanet

hadeverheardoftheCampbelloneofcourse).MrMacphersontoldher,`thechildwasawayacrossthewaterforthegoodofhishealth’.WhenMrsMackaycalledroundagainthatSeptember,theMacphersonshaddepartedalso,leavingnoaddress.TheyhadinfactmovedtoCheyneStreet,Stockbridge,wheretheyhadtakenrooms,stillunderthenameMacpherson.

Bynow,September1888,Jessiewaspregnantherself.Herconditiondidnotstopherfromrespondingtoanotheradvertisement,thistimefromMrsTomlinson.Violet,Alice’smother,whohadbeenindomesticservice,wasnowinhospital,leavingabastardonhermother’shands.Jessie’stenderwasacceptedbythebaby’sgrandmotheras`beingthelowest’,evidenceoftheoldlady’stenderaffection.Jessiesaidshewantedthechildforhersister,MrsMacpherson,`whowasmarriedtotheDukeofMontrose’spiper’.Thiswasaflightofgrandeurindeed,possiblyinhonourofMacpherson’sgloriouspast.

ShetookthechildbacktoCheyneStreetinacab.IsabellaBanks,herlandlord’sdaughter,sawthemarrive.Jessiethrewthechildupintheair,caughtheratthefullstretchotherarms,pulledherdowntoherface,andheldhertightthere.`Mybonnieweebairn’,shecrooned.SheaskedIsabellatoholdthechildwhileshe

paidthecabbie,andthentookherback,sayingthatthebaby’smotherwouldcomesoon.Sheaskedthegirltogooutandbuysomebeer.Isabellaneversawthebabyagain.

Nordidanyoneelse.JessietoldMrsBanksthatshe`hadputitaway’,andshetoldJamesBanks,`thatshehadgotachildandœ25tokeepit;andthatshehadgivenitandœ18away’.TheBanksesdidnotquestionanyofthisatthetime,thoughthethreeofthemhadeachbeentoldaseparatestory,buttherewereothercircumstanceswhichmadethemfeelthattheMacphersonswerenotentirelysatisfactorylodgers.Thedisappearingchildwasstrangeenoughinitself,especiallyasMrsBanksonedaysawababy’shatonJessie’sbed.Whosewasit,sheasked,andfoundherselflessthanconvincedbyJessie’sassurancethatitwaspartofthelayetteforthebabyshewasherselfexpecting;perhapsshecouldnotbelievethatthisslatternlyanddrunkencouplewouldbeexercisingsuchfore132

thought.Thentherewasthecaseofthecoal-closetwhichtheMacphersonsobstinatelykeptlocked.OnoneoccasionwhenMrsBanksaskedforthekeyshewasdispleasedtofinditrefused.Jessiemadetheexcusethattheclosetwasfullofdirtyclothes.Finally,MrsBanksclaimedtofindsomethingsuspiciousinthefactthatMrandMrsMacpherson`hadaprivateandpeculiarchap’(knock).ThisisanotherexampleofhowliterallyalmostanythingcanbemadetoseemsuspiciousandsinisterinaCourtofLaw.Therecanbefewmarriedcoupleswhodonothavesimilarprivatesignalsofrecognition;itissomethingwhichestablishesthespecialnatureoflovers’relationships,liketheuseofpetnames;butitsoundsgriminatrial.Quiteclearly,iftheMacphersonshadtheir`privateandpeculiarchap’,itwasevidenceofaguiltysecret.

Thatthey,oratleastJessie,hadsuchsecretswassoontobeapparent.ButfirstJessielefttohaveherbabyandreturnedwithoutone.Presumablyitwasstillbornorhaddiedalmostatonce.Thatcouldhavesurprisednobody:of394deathsinEdinburghthefollowingFebruary,63wereofchildrenofunderoneyear.Certainlythischilddisappearscompletely,thenotethatJessiewentoffexpectingtobeconfinedbeingtheonlyrecordofitsexistence.

Thenon26OctoberagroupofboyswereplayingaroundCheyneStreet.Onthenarrowandmuddygreentheydiscoveredaparcelrolledupinawaterproofcoat.Oneoftheboyskickedit,thinkingitwasanoldpairofboots.Thekickwas

oddlysquidgy.Investigationrevealedthebodyofachild.Theywenttothepoliceatonce.

TheirfindwasexaminedthenextdaybySirHenryLittlejohn,stillPoliceSurgeon,andDrJosephBell,mostcelebrated-asoneoftheoriginalsofSherlockHolmes.Theydiscoveredittobeamalechild,aboutayearold.Thebodyhadbeenwrappedinanoilskinandwaspartlymummified.Therewasaligatureroundtheneck.Thecauseofdeathcouldnotbeexactlyestablished,butthepresumptionthatitwasstrangulationwasobviouslystrong.

ThenewsofthefindalertedandalarmedthecommunityofCheyneStreet.Fortunatelynobodythere,orinthestreetsimmediatelyaround,hadrecentlylostachild,sothatthesearch

hadallthethrilloftheracewithoutanyoftheconcomitantanxiety.Horrorratherthanpainwasthedominantnote,onemuchmoreeasilyendured,evenindeedratherenjoyable.JosephBankshoweverwasinevitablysuspiciousofhislodgers.Theybehavedmysteriously.Therehadbeenachildintheirpossessionandthenithadvanished.Nowthebodyofachildhadbeenfound.Eitheritssexhadnotyetbeenrevealedor,moreprobably,MrBankshadneverknownthattheTomlinsonbaby,whichhadmadesobriefanappearanceinhishouse,wasagirl,forheimmediatelyassumedthatthebodyonthegreenmightbethebabyhisdaughterhadseenarriveinthecab.Hewenttothepolice.

Theyactedquicklyonhisinformation.ADetectiveOfficer,JamesClark,calleduponMrsMacpherson.Heaskedherwhathadbecomeofthebabyshehadbroughtthereinthecab.Sheproducedapairofbaby’sshoes,fornoreasonthatonecanthinkof,andstatedthatthechildwasnowwithhersister,thewifeoftheDukeofMontrose’spiper;asifthenobleconnectionwouldgiveballasttohertale.Clarkwasnotsatisfiedhowever.Hehadbeentoldofthecoal-closet;theBankseswerecertainthiswasasuspiciouscircumstance.Hesaidhewouldhavetomakeasearch.

Jessiebrokedownstraightaway.`Getacab,it’sthere’,shesobbed,pointingatthecloset.ThismusthavesurprisedClark,whopresumablyatthistimewashopingmerelytofindsomethinginthecupboardthatwouldconnectJessiewiththebodyonthegreen.Heopenedthecloset.`Onthebottomshelfwasthebody

ofafemalechildwrappedinacanvascloth.’LittlejohnandBell’ssubsequentexaminationestablishedtheage-sixweeks-andthat`thelowerpartofthefacewastightlyenvelopedincottoncloth’.Againthecauseofdeathcouldnotbeabsolutelyestablished;eithersuffocationorstrangulationwaspossible.

Therewasstillmore,however.OnthetopofthecupboardClarksawahorriblecorrespondingmark,thestainedoutlineofasmallbody.Clearlytheotherbaby,theonefoundonthegreen,hadlainthere;thiswasAlexanderGunn.Thelittlegirl,AliceTomlinson,whohadbeenwrappedinlayersofnewspaper,clothandoilskin,hadbeendeadsinceSeptember;

AlexandersinceAprilorMay.AlicehaddiedhereinCheyneStreet,AlexanderinCanonmills.HehadformedpartoftheMacphersons’luggagewhentheyflitted.

JessiewastakentothePoliceStation.Macpherson(orPearson)soonfollowed.Shemadenocommentinherfirstdeclaration,whilehe,possiblyanoldhandatthesematters,deniedeverything.Nextdayhowevershemadeaseconddeclarationinwhichsheadmittedthetwomurderswithwhichshehadalreadybeencharged.

Thisdeclarationwasclinching.HeradmissionstoClarkhadnoforcebindinginlaw,butthejurywouldbeexpectedtotakeherdeclarationintoaccount.AstheLordjusticeClerkputitathertrial:`Inthiscountrypersonswerenotsubjectedtowhattheyweresubjectedtoinothercountries,namelytohaveeveryscrapofconversationtheymighthavewithpoliceofficersandotherofficialsbroughtupincourt’.(ThatwasahitatEnglishpracticeofcourse).However,sincetheCriminalProcedure(Scotland)Actof1887,’aprisoner,inemittingadeclarationwasentitledtohavetheassistanceofalawagent’andanyadmissionsmadeinsuchcircumstanceswerelegallyvalid.ThismeantthatJessie’sdeclarationcouldbyitselfputtheroperoundherneck.

Stillshemadeanefforttoputthebestconstructionpossibleonwhatshehadperforcetoadmit.Shedeniedintent.ShehadbeenverypleasedtohavetheGunnchild,butbytheendofMaytheyhadfoundthemselvesunabletosupporthim.Theœ3shehadreceivedwithhimwasexhausted.Shehadtriedtohavehimadmittedtoahome,butshehadbeenrefusedbecausethechildwas

illegitimate.(Thismayhavebeentrue.)Shewasindespair.Whethershehadmadeanyattempttoapproachthebaby’sfamilybywayofMrsMackaywasnotstated;thepresumptionmustbethatshedidnot.Atanyrate,oneMonday,`whenverymuchtheworsefordrink’,shehadstrangledthechild.Pearsonhadbeenoutatthetime;hehadknownnothingofthedeath.Shehadwrappedthechildinanoilskinandhiddenthebodyinabox,whichhadlaterbeentransportedtoStockbridgewiththem.

The,Tomlinsondeathhadbeenaccidental.Shehadgiventhebabywhiskytostophercryingandhadoverdoneit.The

childhadbeenkilledand,inapanic,shehadconcealedthisbodytoo.Feelingperhapsthattheclosetwasoverfull,shehadtakenouttheGunnboyandexposedhisbodyonthegreen.Thiswasanactionasstupidasitwasmacabre.TheGreenlayjustoutsideherdoor,ameanbarespot,wherenobodycouldhopetolieconcealed.ThestreamofWaterofLeithrunssomethreehundredyardsaway,and,thoughcertainlyshallowandfrequentlychoked,mightyetseemamoresensibleplaceofhiding.EvenifforsomereasonshehaddecidedagainsttheWater,onewouldhavethoughtthatshemighthavehadthesensetogofartherfromhome.AbodyfoundinCheyneStreetwassuretopromotequestioningaround,and,eventhoughtherewasno,oratleastlittle,ostensibleconnectionbetweentheGunnbabyandStockbridge,certainlynoevidencethathehadeverbeenthere,yetthedisappearanceofthelittlegirlmightbefreshinpeople’sminds.Anypoliceinvestigationwaslikely,onewouldthink,toleadtotheMacphersons.ThatthissimplelineofargumentdoesnotappeartohaveoccurredtoJessiemaybetakenasthefullmeasureofherstupidity;justastheplaceofconcealmentinthecoal`-closetisevidenceofhermoralinsensibility.

Shewaschargedwiththreemurders,therebeingsufficientsuspicionattachedtotheCampbellbabyalso.TheProsecutionweretodropthischargeeventually,sincetherewasnobodyandnoevidenceofdeath;ithadatleasttheadvantagethatthebaby’sfather,DavidFinlay,whohadsocallouslyfelthecouldshedhisresponsibilitiesatthecostofœ5,wasexposedinthewitnessboxtopublicobloquyandjudicialreproach.Jessieneveradmittedresponsibilityforthisdeath,buttherecanbelittledoubtthatthewretchedchilddiedwhileinherhands.Sincehisdeathwasneverregistered,theassumptionthathewentthesamewayastheothertwoisnotlikelytobechallenged.

Thetrialitselfwasaforegoneconclusion.Interestlayinthehorrorofthecircumstances,intheappearanceofJessieandherlover,andintheevidencegivenbyPearson.Roughead,whosefirstcasethiswas,comparedthepairtothatgreatsceneinWeirofHermistonwhenHermistonisfacedbythewretchedDuncanJoppandhismiserableparamour.Thiscomparison

investstheMacphersonswiththeglamourofgreatliterature;theStevensonianechocanbeheardinRoughead’sprose:

`Themiserablelittlecreatureinthedock-mean,furtive,shabbilysinisterlikeacorneredrat;hertruculentrobustparamour,withhisdirty,grey-beardedfaceandhisbaldhead,uponwhichamonstrouswen,bigasahen’segg,roseeminentonhisnakedscalp.’

Sincewehavealreadybeentoldthathewasbald,the`nakedscalp’isapieceofsuperfluousinformation,butitundeniablyenhancesthedescription’soperaticquality.RougheadhasofcoursestoppedshortofanyRomanticidealisationofthemurderess(forhewascertainthatMacpherson,`thatsometimeornamentoftheHighlandGames’,ashecallshimwithsuperiorirony,waseverybitasguiltyasJessie;indeedthelikelyinstigator.)Onecouldgofurtherindeed,andsaythatRoughead’stoneplacesthewretchedpairwithsomethingofthesameAugustancontemptthatCockburnofferedHaggart.Neverthelessthereisanoteofglamourhere:murderissomethingexciting;murdershavesomething`sinister’and‘monstrous’aboutthem.Thisobscuresthefactthatmurderersareoften,inthefirstinstance,ratherpeoplewhoareincompetentatliving;JessieKingcertainlywas.Ofcourse,ifyouaregoingtohangsomeone,itismoresatisfactory,morallyagooddealmoreacceptable,ifyoucanpresenthimasamonsterratherthanbecompelledtorecognisehimasamiserablederelictorsimplyamoraldefective.Whichisnottosaythattheactofmurderisnotitselfunspeakablyhorrible,thattherevulsionfeltfromthemurdererisnotproper;buthorrorliesalsointhewaste,emptinessandthewildernessofthemurderer’sinadequacyasahumanbeing,inthefailureofanysympatheticimagination.

Jessiegavenoevidence,butallthelittlepiecescontributedbythelandladies,thenurses,therelativeswhohadhandedoverthebabies,thetwogirls,IsabellaBanksandJanetBurnie,andfinallybythedetectiveJamesClark,builtupapictureofawretchedlyincompetentperson.Sheshouldneverhavebeen

entrustedwithababy,notsomuchbecauseshewasevil-she

wasverydoubtfullythat-butbecauseshewasweak,shifty,lying,drunkenandincapable.Thereisnorealreasontosupposethatshetookonthesebabiesasacallouscommercialenterprise,killingthemoffassoonasthemoneywasexhausted;shewouldhardlyhaveemployedJanetBurnietolookafterlittleAlexanderGunnifthathadbeenherattitude.ThemostvividpictureinthecaseisthatofferedbyIsabellaBanks,ofJessieemergingfromthecab,throwingthesixweekoldAliceTomlinsonintotheair,thenpressingheragainsthercheek,asshecrooned`mybonnieweebairn’.Impossibletodismissthissimplyasglutinousandrevoltingsentimentalityandhypocrisy;thehorridpossibilitypresentsitself:JessieKingreallylikedbabies;shewasjustnogoodatlookingafterthem,andcouldnotcopewiththedemandstheymade.Itmaybethateachtimeshethoughtitwouldbeallright;thistimetherewouldbenohideousaccident,nomomentwhenshefoundtheeffortintolerable.

Pearson’sevidencewasvividandinteresting.Hestoodthereinthewitnessboxratherthanthedockinthefinesttraditionofthatstyleofjusticewhichisalwayspreparedtorewardonescoundrelthatanothermaybehanged.Hewassociuscriminis,theretoconsignhiscronytothegallows,asHarehaddoneforBurke.Onlythistime,onemightthink,therewasadifference,andonewhichrendersthewholebusinessevenmoreobnoxious.Jessie’sdeclaration,thoughexculpatingPearson,wassufficienttoincriminateherself.OnewondersthereforewhynomoredeterminedattemptwasmadetopressthecaseagainstPearson.CertainlyRoughead,fromthegallery,hadnodoubtthathewasthedominantpartner.ItmayhavebeenfelthoweverthatanattempttoconvictPearsonwouldinvalidateJessie’sconfession,andthatsomehoworotherbothwouldcontrivetocheatjustice.Itwasbetternottoriskit.

Accordingly,Pearsonstoodthereinthebox,heavyshouldered,pot-bellied,obsequiousandyetpowerful.HewasinformedbytheLordjusticeClerkthat,ashehadbeenputintheboxtogiveevidence,hecouldnotbechargedwithanythingarisingoutofproceedingsthere,exceptperjury;andhegaveaquickfurtivelittlelicktohislips,meanwhiledarting

smallbloodshoteyesaround.Ohyes,herememberedAlexanderGunnbeingbought.Thechildseemedaboutayearold,butheknewnothingofitsparentage.HehadhadnoobjectiontoJessie’skeepingit.Only,afterabit,well,therewasashortageofmoney.Shehadspokenofgettingthechildintoahome-MrsStirling’sHomeforChildreninCausewayside.(Therewasinfactnosuchhomethere,butaMissStirlingdidkeepaHomeinStockbridge.Whoseliethiswascannotbeestablished-itsoundslikePearsondistancinghimselffromtheaction.)Well,thechildhadgone,andshehadsaiditwasintheHome.Hehadwishedtovisit,butJessiehadputhimoff,sayingmalevisitorswerenotallowed,oronlyoncertaindays.Why,hadhetoldJanetBurniethat,`thechildhadbeensentoverthewater’?HehadunderstoodthatchildrenfromMissStirling’sHomeweresenttoCanada;thatwaswhathehadmeantbyoverthewater.Ohyes,hehadseveraltimesexpressedadesiretotakethechildapresent.JessiehadthentoldhimhecouldseeAlexanderrunningaboutCausewaysideinabluegown.Thisridiculousflightoffancyonthepartoftheagedathlete-Alexanderbeingthenbarelyayearold-wasallowedtopassunchallenged;possiblyCounselwasstruckdumbbyhismatchlesseffrontery.SomuchforAlexander:PearsonhadofcoursebeenabsolutelyignorantofthecontentsoftheboxeswhichhehadtransportedfromCanonmillstoStockbridge,anditwasJessiekeptthekeyofthecoal-closet.

Thecrossexaminationwasnotrigorous.ThemoneyfromFinlayandMrsMackayhadgoneonkeepinguptheirhouse;hewassureofthat.Thencamethematterofhisnames.His`howmany?’speaksvolumes.Pearson/Stewart/Macphersonwasabsolutelyreadytoaccountforanythingandeverythingthatthepolicealreadyknew;itwasthoughfirstamatterofmakingsurejusthowmuchtheyknew,sothathemightlearnwhathehadtoaccountfor.Thenhelaunchedhimselfforth,butthejudge,hithertoindulgent,stoppedhimbeforehecouldexpatiatefurtheronhisathleticachievements;hestooddownandlumberedoutoftheCourt.DidhegiveJessieabackwardlook?Hadheglancedatherwhilehesecuredtheroperoundherneck?

Theverdictwasaformality.Thejurywereoutforonly

fourminutes.Shewassentencedtobehangedon11March,justthreeweeksahead.`Allthatyouhavedone’,saidtheLordJustice-Clerk,`canbeblottedout,ifyouwillbutrepentandturnfromit.Listen,Ibeseechyou,totheministrations

youwillreceive….’Shecanofcoursehaveexpectednothingelse,butshecanneverhavesufficientlyimaginedwhatitwouldfeellikeinexperience.`Herface’,wroteTheScotsmanreporter,`becameghastlypaleandshegaveventtorepeatedgroansofthemostheart-rendingdescription.’Shehadtobecarriedfaintingfromthecourtroom.

Hermoodinthenextfewdayswassuicidal.Roughead,withodiousironyandacallousnesswhichhewasaccustomedtoattributetohismurderingsubjects,wrote:`Twiceorthriceshetriedtocommitsuicidebystranglingherselfwithstripstornfromherskirt,andsimilarimprovisedligatures.Butherhandhadlostitscunning,forshewaslesssuccessfulthaninherpreviousessaysinthuggery.’Hownice,onemayreflect,toknowwhatthuggeryreallymeans,andtobesuperiortoguilt,miseryanddespair.FortunatelyforJessie,andindeedfordecorum,shehadthoseaboutherwhocouldfortifyher.ARomanCatholicpriest,CanonDonlevy,andtwoFranciscannuns,wereconstantintheirministrations.Shecametosomepeaceofmindasaresult;herdespairseemstohavebeentransmutedintopenitence.

AnagitationforareprievewasstartedinStockbridge.Feelingsperhapsranlesshightherethanmighthavebeenexpectedconsideringtherevoltingnatureofthecrimes,ifonlybecausenoneofthelittlevictimscamefromthatquarteritself.Thepublic,sensitivetothepositionofawoman,inanagewhichmadeacultoffemininevirtues,wasdisturbedbythepromisedexecution.EventheforemanofthejurysentatelegramtotheSecretaryofState:`Don’tliketointerferewiththeadministrationofjustice,butifthereisanygroundforfurtherinvestigation,letaccusedhavebenefit.’Therewasofcoursenosuchground;theonlyfurtherinvestigationthatcouldhavemadesensewouldhaveattemptedtoestablishtheguiltoftheunspeakableMacpherson;andthatwaspreventedbytheimmunityhehadbeengranted.(ConnoisseursofthecriminalmindmayliketoponderthecontrastbetweenMacpherson,

willingtoletthewomanhehadlivedwithhangthathisownskinmightbesaved,andthenotoriousNedBurke,who,asOwenDudleyEdwardshasshowninhisrecentstudy,devotedhisownDefencetotheexculpationofhismistress,HelenMacDougall.YetBurkeisasynonymforvillainy,whileMacpherson/Pearsonisunknown.)

Meanwhile,TheScotsmanrecognisedthechangingmoodofthepublic,itssusceptibilitytothegentlerandmorehumaneemotions.Inanunusuallythoughtfulleader,thenewspaperlookedforwardtoatimewhenasofteningofpublictastemightmeanthatthepublicwould`demandforitsownsakeratherthanthatofthecriminalsfullyandjustlyconvictedoftakingawaylife,thatCapitalPunishmentalsoshallbeathingofthepast.’Thatwasprescient;wehavearrivedtheretoday,thestrongestcaseagainstcapitalpunishmentrestingonitsdeleteriousanddebasingeffectonthepublicimaginationandontheodiousexcitementitsoeasilygenerates.Itisafteralltheblock,thegallows,theelectricchairthatgiveaghoulishglamourtomurder.

Thattimehadnotyetcomeandtherewerenogroundsforareprieve.NoneofthedoubtthatsurroundedtheChantrellecaseexistedonthisoccasion,andtherehadbeennosuggestionthatJessiewasnotresponsibleforheractions,thoughitwasrecognisedthatshewas`ofalowmoralandintellectualtype’.

Themorningof11Marchdawnedbrightandfrosty.ThehangmanwasthecelebratedBerry.AgroupofsightseershadassembledontheCaltonHill-‘ofamotleycharacter,largelycomposedofidlersandloafers’-inthehopeofgettingatleastaglimpseoftheprocessiontothescaffold.Withintheprison,emotionandtensionranhigh.Severalofthefemalewardersshowed`eyesredwithweeping’.BycontrastJessiewasnowcalm,supportedstill,asshewouldberighttotheend,byCanonDonlevyandthetwonuns.Sincepublicexecutionshadbeenabandoned,ithadbeencustomarytoallowthepressintoviewproceedings,onthegroundsthat,otherwise,somepeoplemightremainunconvincedthattheexecutionhadinfactbeencarriedout.Atthelastmomenthoweveritwasdecidedthat,followingarecentEnglishprecedentinthecaseof

theexecutionofawoman,thereportersshouldnotbepermittedtoviewtheactualdrop.Thisinformationwasconveyedtothepressastheprocessionwasevenonitswaytothegallows.Someofthereporterswouldhavechallengedit,buttheyfeltthataprolongedorvigorousaltercationatthatmomentwouldbeinsensitive;accordinglytheygavewayandremainedbehindinalittleroom.ThelasttheysawofJessie,shewaswalkingblindfolded,withacrucifixheldbeforeher,asCanonDonlevyrecitedthelitany.Theyheardhersaywithhim,`Christhavemercyuponme…’Afewmomentslatertheyheard`thedullthudofthedrop’.

Theywerethenallowedtopassthroughtotheexecutionchamber.CanonDonlevywasstillstandingbytheedgeofthedrop,hiseyesclosed,hislipsmovinginprayer.Berry,`anunwashedlookingfigure,hadstruckareflectiveattitude,andwasgazing,chinonhand,downuponthebody.“Shehasnevermovedsincethedrop”,hesaid,sottovoce.’Theylookeddown.Thecrucifixwasstillclutchedfirmlyinherhand.

Ataboutthatmoment,orperhapsalittleearlier,CatherineGunn-‘witnesswasindomesticserviceandcouldnotkeepthechild’-withdrewtheheavyvelvetcurtainsofhermistress’sbedroom,andcommentedonthefinebrightspring-likeweather.Herblackdressrustledassheclosedthedoorbehindherandtrippedbrisklydownthelongflightofstairstothebasement.

Ofcoursethecaseprovokedargumentandrecrimination.Whatitrevealedofthecalloustrafficininfants,ofthecarelessnesswithwhichtheywerecastoutintotheworld,oftheirwhollyunregulateddisposal,wasdisquietinganddiscreditable.TheScotsmanremarkedthat,`inforeigncountries-inNaplesforinstance,thereareFoundlingInstitutionswheredesertedchildren,theoffspringinmostcasesofguiltypassions,arecaredforandbroughtup….’But,thewriterfelt,anddoubtlessthegoodsenseofrespectableEdinburghwouldhaveagreed,thatthiswashardlytheanswer.Didnottheexistenceofsuchinstitutionsserveasasupport,evenanencouragement,ofvice?WhowouldfeeltheneedofcontinenceandchastityiftheyknewthataFoundlingHospitalexistedtoreceiveandrearthefruitsofsin?Suchreasoningmight

bespecious-thetwenty-nineapplicantsforAlexanderGunnhadshownthatdisposalofthefruitsofsinpresentednodifficultyasitwas;yet,forallthat,thereasoningwasnotwithoutforce.

Nor,onemustadmit,diditlackprescience:

`Thescandalsthatoccasionallyariseinconnectionwiththatsaintlyinstitution,theFoundlingHospitalatNaples,areenoughtomakehumanityshudder.Of856childrenlivingunderitsmotherlycareduring1895,853“died”inthecourseofthatoneyear-onlythreesurvived;awholesalemassacre.These853murderedchildrenwerecarriedforwardasstillliving,andtheinstitution,whichhasayearlyrevenueofover600,000francs,wasdebitedwiththeirmaintenance,

whileforty-twodoctorscontinuedtodrawsalariesfortheirservicestotheseinnocentsthathadmeanwhilebeenstarvedandtorturedtodeath.Theofficialreportonthesehorrorsendswiththewords:“Thereisnoreasontothinkthatthesefactsarepeculiartotheyear1895”….’

NormanDouglas:OldCalabria,Note,pp.72-3

SuchareportmakesJessieKingseemsmallbeer,awretchedamateur,atyro.

OrthePikeSwimsFree

ThereisastyleofwritingaboutEdinburghsocommonastoamounttocliche.EssentiallyitconsistsofdrawingacontrastbetweentheRomanticOldTownandtheClassicalNew.Thewriterdescribes,frequentlyinhectictone,andalwaysinluridhues,thepell-mellconditionsoflifeasitclungtothespineoftherockrunningfromtheCastletoHolyrood,withallitsdirt,squalor,vivacity,thebohemiantavernsandcontiguityofclasses,inshortitsfeverishintensity.TheNewTownontheotherhand,lyingacrossthedeepdivideoftheoldNor’Loch,isportrayedascool,chaste,restrained,elegant,bourgeois.Theadjectivespileupendlessly.ThenperhapsthewritergoesontodramatisethecontrastintermsofDeaconBrodie(whopursuedhisdoublelifeexclusivelyintheOldTown),JekyllandHyde,doppelgangers,evenperhaps,ifheisofaunusuallyliteraryturn,theCaledonianAntizyzygy.Italwaysmakesanimpressiveandentertainingpassage.Thereissomethinginittoo.ThemoveofthemiddleclassesfromtheOldTowndiddenotemorethanageographicalexodus.Itwasafirststeptowardschangingthecharacterofthecity.

Neverthelessitispossibletooverstatethecontrast;andthisfortworeasons.First,whiletheadvocates,doctorsandprofessorsmostlyremovedtheirresidencestotheNewTown,wheretheywouldalmostallbefoundlivingby1830,thesituationoftheLawCourtsinParliamentHouse,andoftheuniversityandinfirmary,meantthattheypassedtheirworkinglivesintheintense,evenfoetid,atmosphereoftheOldTown.Asfortheadvocates,whodidsomuchtogivethetoneofthecity,manyoftheirclients,atleastattheCriminalBar,werenecessarilydrawnfromthewyndsandclosesthatclungtothe

skirtsofLawnmarket,HighStreetandCanongate;theythemselvescontinuedtospendhoursinthetavernsaroundStGiles.Therecould,inthesecircumstances,benoabsolutedivorceofOldandNew.

Second,theNewTownitselfwaslessofapiecethantheclichewouldhaveusbelieve.Thisisparticularlytrueofitseasternend,wherelaneshousingartisans’workshopsthreadtheirwaybetweenthebacksofterraceandsquares.Therewasmoreofasocialmixthanmightbeatfirstapparent.CumberlandStreetandthenowvanishedJamaicaStreet,forinstance,wereneverwithouttheirartisan

inhabitants.Thebourgeoisquarterdriftedalmostimperceptibly,aroundBroughtonStreetandLeithWalk,towardsCanonmillsandStockbridge,intostreetswhereprostitutionandcrimewerecommon.AfterallJessieKinghadlivedandkillednotfarfromprosperousterraceslikeInverleithandAnnStreet.Inthesameway,fartherupthehill,thecorrectimposingboulevards,PrincesStreet,GeorgeStreetandQueenStreet,weredividedbysordidalleyswherevicewasforpurchase.TheChantrellecasehadrevealedbrothelsinClydeStreet,justroundthecornerfromthebanksinStAndrew’sSquare.

Itisindetail,timing,exactgeographicaldistinction,ratherthaninessence,thatthecontrastismisleading.UndeniablytheperceivedcharacterofEdinburghchangedbetweentheeighteenthandtwentiethcenturies,sothatdistinctaspectsofthecity,tendingtowardsschizophreniaoradoublelife,arerecognised.Thecolloquialsummaryofthatcharacter-`furcoatandnaeknickers’-maybetoocondensed;itisatleastanattempttocatchtheparadoxthatmanyhavediscerned.HowdidAuldReekiebecome,`EastWindyandWestEndy’?Howdidthetumultuouscityof`Gardy-loo’becomeknownamongotherScotsforitsgenteelandrefinedfrigidity?

TheanswerisnottobefoundintheNewTownassuch,which,despiteitsclassicalfacade,retainedsomuchoftherichmixtureoftheeighteenthcenturycity.Thecluehoweverliesinthatsummary-‘EastWindyandWestEndy’.OnemustlooktotheWestEnd,totheterracesandsquaresbuiltbeyondCharlotteSquare,theQueensferryRoadandtheDeanBridge,tofindthisrestrictedlycorrect,almostexclusively

middleclassdenialofthesordidandseamy;adenialwhichisprimarilyanattempttosimplifylife.AndonemustlooktoalaterperiodthanthetimewhentheNewTownproperwasbuilt.Absurd,onreflection,tosupposethattheEdinburghofBoswell,ScottandCockburncouldhavebredsuchamoodorstyleofliving.Ithadtowaittilllater,tillaftertheRegency,theRailwayAgeandtheexuberantperiodofearlyVictorianexpansion,tilltherewasasufficientdiffusionofarentierclassweddedtothepiousvirtuesofevangelicalChristianityanddomesticdecency.NothingshowsthismoreperfectlythanBuckinghamTerraceandtheMerrettcase,whichtookplacethereaslateas1926.

BuckinghamTerrace,shieldedfromthetrafficoftheQueensferryRoadbyarowoftreesandasecondaryaccessroad,eventodaybreathesanatmosphereofgentility,characteristicofthewholearea.Itisapartoftownwherelifeinsistsonitsprivacyandrespectability;itgoeswithTurkeycarpets,kidneysforbreakfastandroastmutton;theterraceistall,withdrawnandcuriouslysilent.Thereisnostreetlife,itisdetachedfromthetrafficandtherearenoshopsinawideareaaround,though,nowadays,theterracesopposite,somefiftyyardsawayontheothersideoftheQueensferryRoad,havebeenturnedintoprivatehotels.Builtaroundthemiddleofthenineteenthcentury,thesehouses,demanding,commodious,yetinnowayelegant,fithomesofEdinburghForsytes,were,evenby1918,losingattractionandbeingconvertedintoflats;flatswhichattractedwidows,thehonourablyretired,orspinsterladies.Theretheyindulgedinbridge,tea-partiesandthegentlegossipthatdelightsintracingremotefamilyconnectionsandinthemostmodestandcorrectspecualtionaboutneighboursandcommonacquaintance.NowhereinEdinburgh,notevenMorningside,wasmorerespectable.Itwasthisquality,morethananythingelse,thatwastoleadtowhatwasalmostcertainlyamiscarriageofjusticeintheMerrettcase.

MrsMerrettwasanewcomertotheterrace.ShewasthedaughterofaprosperousManchesterwinemerchant.In1907shehadmarriedaNewZealander,JohnAlfredMerrett,an

electricalengineer.Theironlychild,Donald,wasborninNewZealandinAugust1908.Soonafterwardstheymovedacrosstheworld,toRussia,atthattime,inthelasttenyearsbeforetheFirstWorldWar,engagedinthemostrapideconomicexpansionofitshistory.ThereMrMerrett,whoseconductatleastsuggestsconsiderableenterprise,tookajobinStPetersburg.Hisenterprisemayhavebeencombinedwithadifficultcharacter,forthemarriagedidnotlastlong.SoonMrsMerrettwaslivingapartfromherhusband,inSwitzerland;thenlaterinNewZealandagain.Nothingmoreisknownofherhusband.ShewastotellhermaidinBuckinghamTerrace,oneRitaSutherland,thatshehadhadahardlifeandhadlostherhusbandintheWar.Hersister,MrsPenn,lateraffirmedhoweverthatMrMerrettwasstillaliveandworkinginIndia.Howeverthatmightbehemadenofurthercontributionofanykindtohisfamily.FortunatelyMrsMerretthadbeencomfortablyprovidedforbyherfather;shehadinfactalittleoverœ700ayear,whichrepresentedacompetence,ifnogreatwealth.

Shewasdevotedtoheronlyson.Donaldwasincertainrespectsgrowingupfast.Attheageofsixteenhewastall(welloversixfoot),manly,bright;butdifficult.Nodoubthewas’spoiled,allowedtoomuchofhisownway.Therelationshipbetweenadotingmotherandanonlysonisalwaysfraught.Thisonewasnoexception.Donaldwasindulged,yetcarefullywatchedover;hegrewupdemandinganddeceitful.

MrsMerrettbroughthimbacktotheUnitedKingdomin1924andsenthimfirsttoMalvernCollege.Academicallyhedidwellenough-hewasquickandsuperficiallymature.Hisconducthoweverwasagooddeallessthansatisfactory.Hetookilltodisciplineandhehadlittleoftherespectfortheconventionsandtraditionsoftheschoolwhichwasdemandedofhim.Malvernwasthenanexcessivelycorrectplace;nowherewereupperlipsstifferorthedonethingmoreexactlycircumscribed.Merrett,amocker,egoistandrebel,wasimmunetothecharmsofthepublicschoolspirit.Afterayearhismothertookhimaway;noonewassorry.

Whatshethoughtofhimatthistime,andoftheschool’sfailure,canonlybesurmised.Atanyrate,actingapparently

ontheadviceoffamilyorfriends,shedeterminedthatDonaldshouldnolongerproceedtoOxfordashadbeentheoriginalintention.Lifetherewouldofferhimtoomuchfreedom.Itwasbetterthatheremainunderhismother’swatchfuleye;aScottishuniversitywouldbepreferableandEdinburghwaschosen.Itwasnon-residentialandhecouldlivewithhismother.Heronlycarebeingforherson,sheresolvedtomovetoEdinburghandsetuphousewithhim.Thewisdomofthiscoursewasdoubtful,howeverwell-intentioned;italmostinvitedrebellionofsomekind.

Hewashoweverenteredforthebye-termbeginningJanuary1926.MotherandsoncametoScotlandatChristmastime,spendingthefestiveseasonattheMelroseHydropathic,notperhapsthemostexhilaratingchoiceforayouthofDonald’stemperament.InEdinburghtheylodgedfirstataboardinghouseinPalmerstonPlacebeforerentingtheflatinBuckinghamTerrace.NothingcouldmoreexactlyplaceMrsMerrett’sutterrespectabilitythantheseaddresses.HerlandladyatPalmerstonPlaceandheracquaintancesinEdinburghconcurredinfindingherworthyofthem.ForMrsSharp,thelandlady,`MrsMerrettwas“a

cheerfulandbrightwoman,apersonofmethodicalhabits.”’Sheneversawher`inanexcitablestate’,praiseindeed.Oneofherfriendssaidthat‘everythingshedid,shedidtoperfection.’Sheknewhowtobehave.

Theflatshehadtakenwassmallbutsufficient,aconversiononthefirst,ordrawingroom,floor.Itconsistedofasittingroomandbedroomtothefront(thetworoomsbeingcarvedoutoftheolddrawingroom),andanotherbedroom,thekitchenandbathroomtotherear.Betweenthesittingroomandthekitchenwasasmalllobby,formerlythespacebetweenorbehindthedoubledoorswhichwouldhaveopenedfromthedrawingroomtothediningroomormasterbedroombehind.Inthemannerofsuchconversionstheresultwasconvenientenough,thoughtheroomswereoddlyproportioned,withbrokencornicesand,tothefront,anunnaturalanduglydivision.Thelackofelegancewasdoubtlesscompensatedbythegoodaddressandtheabsenceofanythingintheimmediateneighbourhoodthatcoulddistracttheboyfromhisstudies.Therewasnomaid’sroom,butMrsMerrettwashappytosee

tosomeofthedomesticchoresherself,andengagedayoungwoman,RitaSutherland,marriedbutseparatedfromherhusband,tocomeinonadailybasis.Theytookpossessionoftheflaton10March.MrsMerrett,withseveralfriendsinthecity,settleddowntoquietdomesticityandtheenjoymentofherboy’suniversityyears.Shewrote,toherbankers,saying`DonaldisdoingwellattheUniversityandisquitesettleddowntothelifehere.’

Hehadcertainlysettled,buttheuniversityhadseenlittleofhim.Hefoundtheworkboringorpointless,andhisfellowstudents,atthattimemostlythewell-behavedproductsofthecityschools,limitedandunambitious.Donaldaskedformorefromlifethantheroundoflectureroomandlibrary,theabsorptioninthefamilylife,andrugby,hockey,cricketandtennispartiesthatsatisfiedthesedecentyoungmen.Herequiredmoretoothanthetenshillingsaweekwhichhismotherallowedhim.Hewantedtolive;ohdear,yes,hewantedtolive.

Hisconceptionoflifewasnotinfactfrightfullydemanding.ItrevolvedroundmotorbicyclesandanestablishmentinPicardyPlacecalledtheDunedinPalaisdeDanse;therehefoundhistruegardenofdelights.Roughead’sVictoriangoodtastemightshrinkfromwhathetermed`thisdreadfuldesignation’.Manywouldhaveagreedwithhim,seeingtheproliferationofsuchestablishments-the

EdinburghEveningNewsregularlycarriedfront-pageadvertisementsforsevenoreightPalais-asamarkofthegodlessdecadenceofthepostwargeneration.Amongstsuchplaces-andthePalaisdeDansewastothenineteen-twentieswhatthediscothequehasbeentotheseventies-theDunedinwasbynomeanstheleastreputable.Itsadvertisementscombinenoveltywithrestraint:an`exhibitionofthelatestdancefromAmerica’,forinstance`thefamous“BlackBottom”,demonstratedbyMissVenaSimpsonandMrJBIngram’.Thefamouscomedian,TommyLorne,was`thecolossalattraction’attheannualPantomimeBallheldduringDonald’strial;musicwasprovidedbyPeteMcGovernandhisWestminsterBand.Lessonsweregiveninnewdances,CharlestonaswellasBlackBottom,andenthusiastscouldlearnvarietiesoftango,waltzandfoxtrot.A

stillmorerestrainednotewasstruckbytheannouncementthat`SpecialTheDansantTicketsmaybehadonentrance,andwillincludeaDaintyTeaservedinthepopularCafeRouge’.NoestablishmentthatofferedthatstapleofEdinburghexistence,theAfternoonTea,a`Dainty’oneatthat,couldbewhollygivenovertoviceanddebauchery.Thoughitsadvertisementsalsopromisedthatprivateroomscouldbehired,theDunedinwasrespectableenough,aplacewhereEdinburgh’swellbornyouthcouldfluttertheirwingsalittle.Thewidowofacelebratednovelistremembersbeingtakentherebyawould-bebeau,subsequentlyaQC;shewasfifteenandheboughtherherfirstglassofsherry.Itwasclearlyaplacetoimpressagirl.

Othergirlsmightbefoundthere,theprofessionalhostessesordancingpartners.Notnecessarilytarts,theywereneverthelessagooddealmoretartythanthegirlsmostoftheircustomerswerelikelyevertohaveencounteredelsewhere.Donald’sfancywascalledHelenorBettyChristie.KnowingnobodyinEdinburgh,indifferentto(perhapsshyof,perhapsdespising)hisfellowstudents,whomanywayhehadhardlyseen,hemadeherhisclosestfriend.Probablyshedidnotrepresentanythingveryimportanttohim,butshewasaplaymate.Hesoonmadeahabitofbookingherout.Thiscosthimthirty,shillingsforaneveningsession,fifteenfortheafternoon,thesumpaidinlieuofthedancesshewasmissing.Hegaveherpresents,nothingverylavish,acoupleofringsvaluedatœ2andœ2.5.0.Hetookheroutonthemotorbikewithwhichhehadprovidedhimselfbyputtingdownadepositofœ28.(Hewastotellthepolicehismotherhadboughtitforhim;athoroughlyimprobabletale.)AsforMissChristie,she

regardedDonaldas`abigrompingboy’.Theywere`goodpals’-anexpressionwithanexquisitivelyperiodflavour,conjuringupanimageofshortskirts,clochehatsandayoungmandressedinthemannerofHaroldLloyd.(Donaldhadinfactsomeresemblancetothatcomedian.)DonaldmadeanotherfriendatthePalaisalso,ayoungmancalledScott,whodoubledasclerkanddancinginstructor.Scott’sshallowworldliness-heownedamotorcarimpressedyoungDonald.FlankedbyScottandMiss

Christie,hewasamatchforanyone,theverypictureofamanoftheworld.

Hefinancedthischosenlifeinthesimplestway.Inthosedays,beforecreditcards,whenbankerslikedtoknowtheircustomersandwereyet,inacuriousway,moretrusting,MrsMerretthadmadefinancialarrangementsforherstayinEdinburghwhichsoundslightlycomplicatedandratherstrangenow,butwhichwerethensimpleandusualenough.HermainaccountwaswiththeMidlandBankatBoscombeinOxfordshire,towhichbylong-standingarrangementthechequesfromherfather’strust,whichrepresentedthegreatpartofherincome,werepaid.InEdinburgh.shehadnowopenedanotheraccountwiththeClydesdaleBank,whichshefinancedbychequesdrawnonherMidlandBankaccount;itwasagreedthatshecoulddrawonthisnewaccounttoalimitofœ30.Thearrangementsuitedherstaid,regularandcarefulwayoflife.

Donaldfounditsatisfactorytoo.Between2Februaryand17March1926hecontrivedtomilchhismotherofœ205,notfarshortofathirdofheryear’sincome.Hismethodwassimple.HewoulddrawmoneyonforgedchequesmadeouttohimselffromtheClydesdaleBank,andreplacethismoneywithMidlandBankcheques.Aslongashismother’screditinBoscomberemainedgood,andhewascarefulnottooverdrawattheClydesdale,hewassafe.Nodoubtthedaywouldcomewhenthefirstoftheseconditionsnolongercouldbesatisfied,butthatdidnotimmediatelyworryDonald;alilyofthefield,hewasnotgiventoprojection.Meanwhile,hesoughttoforestallanypossiblesuspicionshismothermightcometoentertainfirstbyremovingchequesfromthebackofherbookandlaterbytakingawaythebookaltogetherandlettinghersupposeithadbeenmislaidintheremovaltoBuckinghamTerrace.Itwashardlyabrilliantmanoeuvre,butitwas,intheshortrun,surprisinglyeffective.MonthslateroneofthesechequebookswasdiscoveredintheboilerroomofthePalaisdeDanse.Thelittlematterofforgerycamesimplytohimtoo.Hemerelytracedhis

mother’ssignatureinlightpencilandthencarefullyinkeditin.Nodoubtitwasnotadevicetodeceiveanexpert,buthehadonlybankclerkstodeal

with,andtheywereunlikelytosuspectauniversitysudent,theonlysonofarespectablewidow,domiciliedin.BuckinghamTerrace,ofsogrossanoffenceasforgery.Theyhadseenmotherandsontogether,andhadbeenimpressedbytheirevidentdevotiontoeachother.

ClearlyDonaldwashappyandinsouciant,livinginandforthemoment,shinningdownthetreeoutofhisbedroomwindowandcourting,orlarkingwith,MissChristie.Ifthethoughtofconsequencesevertouchedhismind,hedismissedit;therewasnoplaceinhisvocabularyforNemesis.Hehadmoreimmediateconcernsandtheyweresufficient.Howeverhewassoonovertakenbyevents.Acoupleofdaysaftertheymovedintotheflat,thelandlordcalledonMrsMerrett.Heaskedherifshecouldnowpaythebalanceofherrent,thoughthiswasnotinfactduetilllaterinthetenancy.However,beingofanobligingnature,andconsciousofthesecurityofherfinancialstate,shereadilyassented;shewasbytemperamentoneofthosewhoprefertobeforwardinpaymentsdue.Donaldhoweverremainedignorantofthistransaction,whichputhiscalculationsout,forbychanceMrsMerrettpaidthelandlordwithaClydesdalecheque.

Thischeque,beingpresentedandhonoured,overdrewtheaccount.OnSaturday13MarchthereforethebankwrotetoMrs,.Merrett,statingthatheraccountwasoverdrawnbysomeœ22,andrequestinghertoputthingsright.Donaldapparentlyinterceptedthisletter,forMrsMerrettdidnotthenreceiveit.InsteadonTuesday16thhecorrectedmatterswithaœ30MidlandBankcheque,payabletohimself.Hetookœ5incash.Howeverhehadalready,thepreviousday,presentedaClydesdalechequeforœ22.10.6.Accordinglyon16MarchtheBankwroteagain,pointingoutthattheaccountwasnowoverdrawnbyœ6.11.3.Thisletterarrivedonthemorningof17March.

Whathappenedthatmorningcannotbeknownindetailorcertainty.RitaSutherland,themaid,wastheonlywitness,andshedidnotarrivetillaboutnineo’clock.ShediscoveredthatDonaldandhismotherhadalreadybreakfasted.MrsMerrettwasputtingthesilveraway.Thentheysettledinthesittingroom.IfthesubjectofDonald’stransgressionshad

comeupatthebreakfasttable,itseemsthatithadalreadybeenresolved.CertainlyRitaSutherlandwasnotconsciousofanyargumentorcoolnessbetweenmotherandson.Shecameintothedrawingroomtodothefire,butfindingDonaldsettledinthearmchairwithabook,andhismotherpreparingtowritelettersatthetablewhichsheusedinpreferencetothedesk,decidedtodothislater,andretiredtothekitchenagain.Thatwasjustacrossthenarrowhall.Donaldandhismotherweresittingaboutelevenfeetapartfromeachother.

AfewminuteslaterRitawasstartledbyaloudbang.Sheheardquick-movingfeet.Thenasoundasoffallingbooks,andDonaldwasinthekitchen.`Rita’,hecried,`mymotherhasshotherself’.Eitherthen,oralittlelater,shesaidthatshehadbeenquiteallrightwhensheherselfarrived,andaskedwhyshewoulddosuchathing.Herepliedthat,`hehadbeenwastinghismother’smoneyandthoughtshewasworriedaboutthat’.Theyfoundherlyingonthefloor,stillbreathing,betweenthetableandthebureau.Rita`noticeduponthetopcornerofthebureau,apistol’.Shehadneverseenitbefore.

Orperhapsshenoticeditthere.Anyattempttoreconstructexactlywhathappenedandwhatshesaw,isbedevilledbyinconsistenciesinherstory-shewastotelltwoincompatibleones-andbythefactthat,oncertainpoints,notablythepositionofthepistol,herevidenceconflictswithwhatothershadtosay.

Donaldnowtelephonedforthepoliceandtoldthemthathismotherhadshotherself.Histonecarriedauthority,sothatthisinterpretationwastopassunquestionedforalongtime.Then,findingthesightofhismother(whowasstillnotdead)distressing,hesuggestedtoRitathattheyshouldgodowntothestreetandwaitfortheambulancethatwouldtakehismothertothehospital.

Thepolicearrivedfirst,intheformoftwoconstables,MiddlemissandIzatt,decentdeferentialmen,suitablychastenedbythetragedytheyencountered.Theirattitudewastobeofthefirstimportance.Theyarrivedlessas`investigators’thanas`themencomeaboutthetrouble’.Roughead,inhisaccountofthetrial,wastopourscornuponthem,suggestingthattheymighthavebeencompetentforapartinthePolicemen’s

ChorusinThePiratesofPenzance,Buttoelaborateonthis-todwellforinstanceontheirinabilitytodecideonthepositionofthepistol(oneofthemcouldnotsay,whiletheotherstatedthathesawhiscolleagueliftitfromthefloor)-istoriskmissingthepoint.Nodoubttheyshouldhavebeenbriskandinquisitive.Thatwasnothowtheysawtheirjob,notinarespectableplacelikeBuckinghamTerrace.Theirattitudewasquitedifferent.Somethingveryunfortunatehadhappenedandtheyhadbettertidyitup.Whatelsecouldhavebeenexpectedofthem,inasittingroomwheretheywouldhaveconsidereditasolecismtotakeachair?SotheycontentedthemselveswithaskingDonald,politelyandmodestly,ifhehadanyideawhyhismothershouldhaveshotherself.Theynoddedtheirheadsathisairyreply-justmoneymatters’.Hecouldhardlyhavesaidanythingmoreimmediatelyconvincing:everyoneknewthatmoneywasseriousbusiness.

MrsMerrettwastakenofftotheinfirmarywhereshewasconfinedinWard3,asecuritywardwithbarredwindows,asasuspectedsuicide.Donaldfollowedherthereandinquiredabouthercondition.`Oh’,hesaid,`soit’sstillonthecardsthatshewillrecover?’HetoldthenursethathismotherhadnofriendsinEdinburgh,whichwasofcoursealie,and,asforhersisters,therewasnousecallingthem,as`theydidn’tgeton’.One,sister,MrsPenn,wastodenythisfirmly;allthesameDonald’scounsel,MrAitchison,castsomedoubtonwhatshesaid.Now,however,havingdonewhathecouldtoensurethathismotherwouldremainisolatedinhospital,hebetookhimselftothePalaisdeDanseandMissChristie.Poppingheronthepillionofhismotorbike,hewentforaspintoQueensferry.LaterintheafternoontheymettheirfriendScott.HetoldthemwhathadhappenedandsaidRitahadbeeninthekitchenatthetimeoftheshot.

AllDonald’swordsandactionsdisplayinconsistency.Onecanonlyassumethathespokeandactedmerelyonwhim.Forverysoon,hewassendingatelegramtoafriendofhismothercalledMrsHill,tosummonherfromBrighton.Evenhiscallousnesstohismotherwasnotmaintained.Hewasseentokissherononeofhisvisits;`wasitthekissofJudas?’askedtheLordjusticeClerk.

SimilarinconsistencywastobeshownbyRitaSutherland.ThateveningshewasinterviewedbyDetective-InspectorFleming,whohadtakenoverthecase.Thestoryshetoldhimwasquitedifferent.Shenowsaid`shehadbeeninthekitchenabout9.30andheardashot,and,goingintothelobby,shesawMrsMerrettfall

offherchairandontothefloorandapistolfallingoutofherhand.’DonaldhimselftoldFlemingthat,`hewentovertothecorneroftheroomandthenextheheardwasashot,andthathelookedroundandsawhismotherfallingtotheground,witharevolverfallingfromherhand.’Thesetwopiecesofevidencecorroboratedeachother.Withtheevidentrespectabilityofthesetting,theywereenoughforFleming.Hehadnodoubts.MrsMerretthadshotherselfandhehadtwoeyewitnessestoproveit.AccordinglySergeantRosswrotetothehospitalauthoritiesaskingthattheyshouldletthepoliceknowwhenMrsMerrettwasfittoleavehospital,thatshemightbetakenintocustodyandchargedwithattemptedsuicide.

ThewretchedwomanhadmeanwhilecomeroundinWard3tofindherselfalmostinprisonalready.Barredwindows,alockeddoorandanatmosphereofmysteryandobfuscationoppressedher.Nobodywouldtellherwhathadhappened,andshecouldnotremember.Therehadbeenalittleaccident,theysaid,andwouldgonofurther.Shesaidatdifferenttimes,`Iwassittingwritingatthetablewhensuddenlyabangwentoffinmyheadlikeapistol….’and`Iwassittingdownwritingletters,andmysonDonaldwasstandingbesideme.Isaid,“Goaway,Donald,anddon’tannoyme”,andthenextIheardwasakindofexplosion,andIdon’trememberanymore.’DrHolcombeoftheInfirmarypassedthisreportontoInspectFleming;hehowever,alreadycertainofthefacts,secureinhispossessionofeyewitnesses’accounts,wasnotsufficientlyimpressedtointerviewherhimself.Asaresultnodepositionwasevertakenfromher.

MrsHillarrivedandfoundherfriend’sconditiondistressingandpuzzling.Shecouldnotbelieveinthesuicidetheory.ShewastosaythatMrsMerrett`washighlystrung,emotional,withakeengriponlifeandeverythingitcontained,butneverasuggestionofdoingawaywithherself.’.Thatwasin

nosenseaconclusivejudgement,anditwasalsoonewhichofferedhithertounmentionedaspectsofMrsMerrett’scharacter,butitwasenoughtoconvinceMrsHillthatsomethingwaswrong.SincesheherselfcouldnotremaininEdinburgh,shesummonedoneofMrsMerrett’ssisters,aMrsPenn.Shedulyarrivedwithherhusband,adeafandirasciblepainter,on24March,aweekaftertheshooting.Byheraccount,hersisterrepeatedthesamestoryofherlastmemory,anddescribedthebangasseeming,`asifDonaldhadshotme’.She

thensoughtreassurancethathehadnot,andadded,`heissuchanaughtyboy’.MrsPennthenakedDonaldwhathadhappened.Couldheexplainmatters?Hisreplywasflippantintheextreme:`No,auntie,Ididnotdoit,butifyoulikeIwillconfess.’ThatraisedanalarminginterpretationoftheaffairthatMrsPennwasnotatthetimereadytoaccept.`Nobodywantsyou.todothat’,shereplied,andremainedpuzzled.

SuchwasthegistofMrsPenn’sevidence.Iftrue,itcertainlyindicatedthatMrsMerrettmusthavebeentorturedbythemosthorriblesuspicion.ButMrsPennwasnotanentirelydisinterestedwitness.ItwasnaturalenoughthatsheshouldhavedevelopedsomeanimusagainstDonald.Moreover,MrAitchisonelicitedfromhertheinterestingfactthat,whileDonaldwastheheirtohisgrandfather’sproperty,herownsonstoodnextinsuccession.HesuggestedtoherthatsheherselfhadinfactaskedMrsMerrettwhetherDonaldhadshother.Shedeniedthisvehemently,butsincehewasabletoshowthatbothsheandherhusbandhadbeenmostreluctanttoco-operatewiththeDefence,herdenialwasnotwhollyconvincing.

Donaldhimselfhadnotallowedhismother’sconditiontoaffecthiswayoflife,exceptthathehadforthemomentmovedoutoftheflatandtakenaroominahotelinLothianRoad;allhislifehewastodelightinhotellife;itsatisfiedhisimmaturecravingformake-believe.Otherwisehehadcontinuedonhismerryway.Thechequebookwasnowfreelyavailable,and,whilehismotherlived,hemadethemostofit,drawingœ156intheninedayshehadtheuseofit.ThisincludedthedownpaymentonanHRDracingmotorbike,valuedatœ139.Hecouldofcoursehaveboughtitoutright

withoneMidlandBankcheque,butthatwasnothisway.Creditwastohistaste;thedayofreckoningmightbeasfarremovedorevenmythicalasGod’sjudgement.Onthebike,orincompanywithMisChristieorhisfriendScott,hehadafewjollydays.Callingatthehospitalononeoccasion,hewaspressedbythenursetogiveheratelephonenumberwherehecouldbereachedshouldhismother’sconditiondeteriorate.Heaskedhertowaitamoment,whilehesteppedintothewaiting-roomtoconsultMissChristie.HereturnedwithanumberwhichwasinfactthatoftheDunedin.

Atlaston27MarchMrsMerrettdied.Theimmediatecauseofdeathwasbasal

meningitis.Shehadneverlearnedwhyshewasinthehospital.Shemusthavepassedmanypainfulanddistressinghourswonderingwhathadhappened,forcertainlyshehadnorecollectionofhavingherselffiredashotoraccidentallydislodgedthepistol.ShecanhardlyhavefailedtosufferfromthehorridfearwhichMrsPennascribedtoher,whethersheinfactuttereditornot,forherlastmemorywasofDonaldstandingoverher,whileshewrotealettertoherfriend,MissAnderson.Andthenthebang.(Donaldsaidshehadputthewrongaddressontheenvelope,whichhewaswaitingtotaketothePost.)

Herdeathbroughthismadcapcareertoatemporaryhalt.EvenDonaldcouldseethathecouldnotcontinuetoforgethechequesofadeadwoman.Hisuncleandaunttemporarilytookhiminhand.Intheoryhecontinuedhisstudiesattheuniversity,whiletheyalltookupresidencetogetheratBuckinghamTerrace.Itseemedasiftheaffairslept.MrsPennstillprobedandquestioned,butthepolicehadacceptedthecaseasoneofsuicide.Thatwasthat.Donald,perhapsinresponsetohisaunt’squestioning,perhapssimplyforalark,setofftoLondonwithMissChristieandScottostensiblytoconsultafamousdetective.Predictablytheyreturnedwithoutone,theirmoneyexhausted,havinghadtohitchaliftonalorry.ColdnessprevailedinBuckinghamTerrace.Thesummerworeon.TheuniversityindicatedapreferenceforDonald’sabsencethenextyear.Whatwastobedonewiththeboy?

Fortunately,thatwasnotthePenns’problem.MrsMerrett’swillhadentrustedthemanagementofherestateandthe

guardianshipofhersontothePublicTrustee,anactionwhichhasattractedcuriouslylittleattention.Yetsurelyitwasunusualenough?MrsMerretthadfamily,twosistersatleast.Itmighthavebeenthoughtthatthesewouldprovemoresuitableguardiansthananecessarilyremotecivilservant.Herchoicesuggeststhereforeeitherthatherrelationswithhersistershadhithertobeenbad,justasDonaldsaidtheywere,orthatshehadsomesecretreason.ThiscouldonlyhavebeenadistrustofDonald.Onthefaceofitsimplyadotingmother,MrsMerrettyetshowedbyheractionsinseveralrespectsthatshehad,doubtlessreluctantly,cometounderstandthatDonald,thoughpossiblybrilliant,mightnotbealtogethernormal;thathewascertainlynotabsolutelyreliable.TheMalvernexperiencehadopenedhereyes.HerdecisiontocometoEdinburghandthecomparativelysmallallowanceshegaveDonaldwereevidence.Itmaybethat

shehadforsometimenowrealisedthatDonaldmightneedcarefulattention.HencethePublicTrustee.InshortMrsMerrettmaynothavebeenaltogetherafoolwithregardtoherson.

ThePublicTrusteesoonhadhisdoubtsalso.Inthesummer,preparatorytoadecisionastotheboy’sfuture,hehadhimmedicallyexamined.Thereportwasreassuring,uptoapoint.`Theladisexceptionallydevelopedphysicallyforhisage(inlaterlifeMerrettwastoweightwenty-twostone)andlooksatleastovertwentyyears.Hetalksintelligentlyandconfidently,andisclearandlucidinhisstatementsongeneraltopics…mentallyheisperfectlysane….’Thelastobservationsuggeststhatdoubtshadarisen.ItispossiblethatthesehadbeensharedbyMrsMerrett;andwhatofhisemotionalcondition?StilltheexaminationwassufficientlyreassuringforthePublicTrusteetodecidetorevivetheoldOxfordplan.Donaldwasthereforesentsouthtoprepareforentry.

Circumstances,themarchofevents,overwhichDonaldhadbyhisownactionsabandonedanycontrol,sothat,thinkinghimselffree,hewasactuallycaughtinawebofhisownspinning,forestalledtheproposal.InvestigationofMrsMerrett’sfinances,necessaryforProbate,revealedtheirregularitiesofthespringmonths,sufficientlyatvariancewithhernormalpracticetogivebirthtodoubts.Whathadbeenhap159

pening?Whyshouldsocarefulandprudentawomanhaveembarkedonacourseofunprecedentedextravagance?Andthentherewerethedatesonthecheques,suggestingthatMrsMerretthadrunthroughahundredandfiftyoddpounds-tosaynothingofbuyingamotorbike-whileshelayvirtuallyaprisoner,fightingforherlifeinWard3ofEdinburghRoyalInfirmary.Itwouldnotdo;obviouslytherewassomethingfishy,andobviously,Donald,towhommostofthechequeswerepayable,wasthevillain.Thepoliceinterestrevived.EvidenceofDonald’sforgeryputanewcomplexiononhismother’sdeath.Herewasmotive.Awarrantwasissuedon29November,executedbythelocalpoliceafewdayslater,andDonaldwascommittedon9Decemberchargedwithmurderandforgery.Hewasindictedon14January,andthetrialbeganon1Februaryalmostayearafterhismother’sdeath.

ThecasefortheProsecution,conductedbytheLordAdvocate,dependedfirstontheevidenceofDonald’sfinancialmisdemeanours,thenontheevidenceoffered

byRitaSutherland.MrsMerrett’sstateofmindwasalsogermane,foritwasnecessarytopre-emptaDefencelinewhichwouldadheretotheoriginalpolicetheoryofsuicide;embarrassinginthecircumstances.Beyondthat,itwasdeemednecessaryfortheCrowntoshowthatthecircumstancesoftheshootingwereinconsistentwitheithersuicideoraccident.Ifthenatureofthewoundruledtheseout,thenitfollowedthatMrsMerretthadbeenshotbysomeoneelse,andtherecouldbenocandidatebutDonald,whowasadmittedlyandincontestablyaloneintheroomwithhismotherwhentheshotwasheard.If,ontheotherhand,theCrownfailedtoestablishthesepoints,ifRita’sevidencecouldbeshaken,ortheCrown’sexpertwitnessesprovedunconvincing,thenitwasclearthattheCrownwouldhavefailedtoproduceargumentssufficientlypowerfultooutweightheprejudicecausedbythelongdelayinbringingthecase,andthenaturalrepugnanceonthepartofanyjurytoconvictapersonableyoungmanofsuchanunnaturalcrime.Therecouldbelittledoubtthattheclumsyandimpercipientpolicehandlingofthecasehadmadeconvictionverymuchmoredifficult.

Onthefirstpoint,Donald’sfinancialtransactions,there

waslittleprobleminmakingthecase.Certainlythebankclerkswhohadcashedthechequesstillobstinatelyrefusedtoseeanythingwrongwiththem,buttheauthorityofthehandwritingexpertwashardtocontest.Moreover,evenifDonaldhadbeenaforgerofthemostexquisiteskillnothingcouldhaveexplainedawaytheœ156obtainedwhilehismotherlayconfinedandpowerlessintheinfirmary.TheDefenceputforwardtheargumentthatMrsMerrettcouldhavesignedchequeswithsomeassistance-buttheydidnotpushithard.Wiselyenough,forcommonsensewouldhavebeenoffendedatthenotionthatthedyingwomanshouldhavewrittenchequesformotor-bicycles.Thatgranted,anysuggestionthatDonaldhadperhapscommencedforgeryonlyaftertheshootingwastooludicroustoadvance.OnthefactofforgerytheDefencebarelyexisted.WhetherMrsMerrettdiscovereditandwhethersuchdiscoveryaffordedsufficientmotivewerehoweverothermatters,andmoredebatableones.

RitaSutherland’sevidencewasagooddeallesssatisfactory,foritcouldnotbedeniedthatshehadtoldtwoseparateandconflictingstories.Thefirstofthese,thatshehadbeeninthekitchenatthetimeoftheshot,lefttheissueopen.Thesecondthatshehadactually`seenMrsMerrettfalloffthechairandontothe

floorandapistolfallingoutofherhand’wouldofcoursehaveacquittedDonald.ItwasthisstorywhichhadfixedtheideaofsuicideinInspectorFleming’smind.Thefactthatshenowdeniedthissecondstoryabsolutelyandhadreturnedtoherfirstcouldnotwhollyeradicatetheimpressionthatitmade.Ajuryisalwaysindifficultieswithawitnesswhohaschangedhisstory.Inconsistencyequalsunreliabilityattheleast.Onestory,beinguntrue,maybeadeliberatelie.Whendoyoubelievealiar?Ifnotalie,itisevidenceofconfusion.Howcanonedeterminejustwherethewitnessisconfusedandwhereheorsheisclear?Itisaquestiontowhichthereisrarelyacertainanswer.EitherRita’soriginalstatementtowhichshehadnowreturned,wasfalse,ortheoneshehadofferedtoInspectorFlemingwasalie.TheDefencewasabletoproduceawitness,acertainDrRosa,whowasreadytoswearthatRitahadcometohim,withtheeyewitnessstoryalso,ontheeveningoftheshooting.Headdedthatshehad

saidthatshehadseenMrsMerrettremoveherfalseteethjustbeforetheshot.Thatwasaremarkabledetail,evenifnotonethatwasnecessarilyconvincing.RitanowdismissedDrRosa’sstoryas`adownrightlie’,anditiseasyenoughtoinventamotiveforhiscomingforward.Allthesameherchangeofstoryishardtoexplain.SheherselfsaidshewasconfusedwhenshespoketoFleming;sheneversaidwhathadhappenedtoconfuseherbetweenthemorningandeveningof17March.Perhapsshetoldtheeyewitnessstorymerelytomakeherselfseemmoreimportant,andthenretracteditwhenshesawwhereitwasleading.HadheroriginalversionnotbeenreinforcedbywhatDonaldsaidthatsamedaytoMissChristieandScott,hercredibilityasawitnesswouldhavebeenslightindeed.

ItwasevenhardertodetermineMrsMerrett’sstateofmind.TheCrownhadtoshowthatshewasnotsuicidal.Characterevidencewasuniformlyfavourable,thoughMrsHill’sassertionthatMrsMerrettwas`highlystrung,emotional’,wasopentoaninterpretationthatdifferedfromhers.MrAitchisonaskedMrsPennwhethertherewasnomadnessinthefamily.Thatwasnotalinelikelytobeverypotent;foronethingitmightequallywellleadtoDonald.MrsPenn’sreplywasfirmenough;therewasacaseofmadness,butitwasnotofahereditarysort.InanycasetherewasnoevidencethatcouldhaveledanyonetoquestionMrsMerrett’ssanity,apartfromtheshootingitself.Thefactthatshehadbeenengagedinwritingalettertoanoldfriendatthemomenttheshotwasheardwassurelypowerfulevidencethatshehadnotkilledherselfwilfully.Moreoverthe

contentsoftheletterwerehardlyapreliminarytosucide.Shetoldheroldfriend,MrsAnderson,thatshehadatlastfoundaflatandamaid;thenpresumably,bang.Itis,tosaytheleast,unusualforsomeonetobreakoffsuchaletterinordertoputapistoltothetemple.Curiously,theletterdisappeared.Donaldtoldthepolicethathehadthrownitawaybecauseitwasbloodstained;thepoliceconstableshadseennosuchstains,butthejurycouldnotbeblamediftheyhadcometotheconclusionthatIzattandMiddlemisscouldhavewadedankledeepinbloodwithoutnoticingitspresence.Theinferencetobedrawnfrom

Donald’sactwasthatherealisedthattheletterwashardlythatofasuicideandsodecideditshoulddisappear.Therewasthoughsomethingelseoddabouttheletterwhichseemstohaveescapedcomment.ThetheoryofmurderrestsonthepresumptionthattheBank’sletterhadcausedMrsMerretttoquestionDonaldandthatthisquestioninghaddisclosedhisguiltysecret.Allthismusthavehappenedinquiteashorttime,forRitaSutherlandheardnoquarrelorangrywords.InsteadshesawDonaldsettlingdowntoreadabook,andhismothertowriteletters;acalmdomesticscene;buthardlyperhapsasatisfactorypreludetomurder.Itispossible,thatthematterhadnotyetbeenbroached;thatwouldmeanthatDonaldshothismothertoforestallanyinquiry.WhathappenedbetweenthemrestsentirelyonDonald’sstatementthat,`hehadbeenwastinghismother’smoneyandthoughtshewasworriedaboutthat.’Butitishardtobasecredenceonanythinghesaid.

WhatwasrecordedofMrsMerrett’sconversationintheinfirmaryalltendedtoconfirmtheCrown’scase.Shehadbeensittingwritingletters,Donaldhadcomeandstoodoverherinamannershefoundirritating.Shehadaskedhimtomoveawayandthenheardabanginherhead.Itallpointedtoaconclusionthatshewasnaturallydisinclinedtodraw;therecouldbenoreasonhoweverforthejurytoshareherreluctance.Toherquestion`Donalddidn’tdoit,didhe?Heissuchanaughtyboy’theywerelikelytoreturnanansweruntaintedbyaffection.ItwasnecessarythereforefortheDefencetotrytodiscredithermemory,eventhoughtheLordJustice-ClerkwastopointoutinhischargetothejurythatnooneatthetimehadthoughthervariousobservationsmadeintheinfirmaryinvolvedDonald’sguilt.Themurderchargehadbeen`anafterthought’.

StilltheDefencecouldnotrelyonthat.TheycalledasanexpertwitnessDrGeorgeRobertson,ProfessorofMentalDiseasesattheUniversityofEdinburgh

andHeadoftheMorningsideLunaticAsylum.Likemanyfellow-maestriDrRobertsonhadcomealmosttobelievethatinsanitywaseverywheretobefound.Rougheadremarked,inamemorablephrase,that`hismasteryofhisartwassuchthathecould

haveprovedSolomonsenileandSoloncertifiable.’NowheputforwardthenotionthatMrsMerrettmighthavebeensuffering,whileinhospital,fromwhathetermed`alteredconsciousness’,`Dissociationmightbethecorrecttermtouse.’Itseffectmighteasilybetoimpairthememory.SoMrsMerrettwouldrememberthingsclearlyuptoafewminutesbeforetheaccidentandthenexperienceanabsoluteobliterationofmemory.Shecouldeasilyinconsequenceomitincidents,telescopetimeorsomethingofthatsort.Itwas`quitepossiblethattheintervaloftimethatelapsedbetweenwhenMrsMerrettfoundhersonbesideherandtheexplosiontookplacewasverymuchlongerthanissuspected’.NothingcouldbemoreconvenientthanthatfortheDefence.Memoryinsuchcaseswasfrequentlydistortedalso;ProfessorRobertsonwashappytogiveinstances…furthermorethefactthatneitherdoctorsnornursesintheinfirmaryhadnoticedanythingwrongwithMrsMerrett,couldnot,asfarasProfessorRobertsonwasconcerned,beallowedtocutverymuchice.Farfromit:`thesepeople’,saidhe,inaphrasereekingoftheself-conscioussuperiorityoftheexpert,`thesepeoplepayverylittleattentiontomentalsymptoms.ThatispointedoutintheReportoftheRoyalCommission…howdefectivethetrainingisinthissubject.’IfyoubelievedProfessorRobertsonthen-andwhocouldentirelydiscountsuchsublimeassurance?-thennomatterhowlucidandsensibleMrsMerretthadseemedtonursingstaffandphysicians,tohersisterandothervisitors,nocredencecouldbegiventoanythingshehadsaidinhercondition.ShemightofcoursebequitecorrectProfessorRobertsonwastoowilyabirdtoruleoutthatpossibilitycompletely-but,sufferingfrom`alteredconsciousness’,she-couldbequite,quitewrong.AfterthisperformanceMrAitchisoncouldconfidentlybidthejuryignoretheevidenceofwhatshehadsaid,whatshehadremembered(evidencewhichhehadtriedandfailedtohaveexcluded)exceptwhereitwasindependentlyconfirmed.

IfyoubelievedProfessorRobertson…thatwastheproblem,forthelearnedProfessorwasonlyoneexpertinacaseascrammedwith.sagesasatinwithsardines.Thewholequestionofthepistol,thedistancefromwhichithadbeen

fired,andthenatureofthewound,aswellasMrsMerrett’smentalcondition,wasinthehandofexperts.Thecourtroombecamelikethelistsofamedievaltournament,asheavilyarmouredexpertclashedmightilywithcounter-expert.

First,fortheCrown,wasProfessorHarveyLittlejohn,PoliceSurgeon,thelatestinthatremarkabledynasty.HewassupportedbyDrBellandbyProfessorGlaisterofGlasgowUniversity,andheneededthatsupport.ForLittlejohnwasinanawkwardspot.LikeRitaSutherlandhehadchangedhismindandhisstorywithit,andthisinvariablyinducesdiscomfortinanexpert;fareasierformerehousemaidstoaccommodatesuchcontradiction.Littlejohnhadmadetheoriginalpostmortemexamination.Atthattimehehadfelt,and,worse,stated,that,`therewasnothingtoindicatethedistanceatwhichthedischargetookplace,whetherfromafewinchesoragreaterdistance’.Accordinglytherewasnothinginthenatureofthewoundincompatiblewithsuicide.Thatwaslucidityindeed,andatthetimeperfectlysatisfactory,sinceitagreedwiththepoliceinterpretationofthecase.Nowhoweverthingshadchanged.TheCrownhaddeterminedtoprosecute.ProfessorLittlejohnwasaCrownwitnessandsuicidehadbecomeoutofthequestion.Haditbeenacaseofsuicide,theywouldhavefoundevidenceofblackeningaroundthewound,buttherewasnone.Theabsenceofblackening,immaterialafewmonthsbefore,hadnowtakenonvastsignificance;ProfessorGlaisteragreedthatblackeningwasasinequanonofsuicide.Clearlythereforethedischargehadbeenatadistancegreaterthanafewinches.ItwasperhapsapitythatProfessorLittlejohnhadnotatoncecometothisconclusion;stillhehadgottherenow,andfoundhimselfreinforcedbytheotherexperts.

Thentherewasthepositionofthewound.Atonetimehehadsaid,`sofarasthepositionofthewoundisconcernedthecaseisconsistentwithsuicide’.Nowhefoundthat,`thehandandarmwouldbeinastrainedposition’.`AllinallthereforeIamoftheopinionthatsuicidewasinthehighestdegreeimprobable.Thedirectionofthebullet,thepositionofthewound,andthedistanceatwhichthedischargetookplace,allpointtotheweaponhavingbeenfiredbyathirdparty.Tomy

mindsuicideisisinconceivablefromthefactsIknow.Yetthesamefactshad

existedatthetimeofthepostmortem;nonewmedicalevidencehadbeenproduced.Itwasallamatterofinterpretationandjudgement.MrAitchisonpursuedhimhard:`iftheevidenceofDrHolcombeberightthathehadtocleansethewoundthoroughly,canyoubecertainthatitwouldnotremoveblackeningortattooingiftheywerethere?’Hehaddrivenhimtothepointofadmittingthatthetheoryhenowputforwarddependedonthedistanceofthedischarge;ifthatweredisplacedthenneithersuicidenotaccidentcouldbediscounted.(Infactaccidentdidnotdependonthequestionofthedistance.)ProfessorLittlejohnwasforcedtoyieldground,butstillproclaimedthat,evenso,suicidehadbecomeinconceivabletohim.Itwasdoggedatleast;hehadchangedhismindonce,hewasnotgoingtodosoagain.HeshowedthesameobstinacywithregardtoMrsMerrett’smentalcondition:`Ifapersonshowsnosignsofabnormalityandthenbecomeswanderedinthemind,surelyuptothetimethatsheshowssignsofwanderingsheisnormal.’Itmightnotbemuchtosetagainsttheoriesofalteredconsciousness,butitshowedcommonsenseatleast.AllMrAitchisoncoulddowasthrowuphishandsandexclaim,`Ifexpertsdiffer,whatarewetodointhematter?Idon’tknow.’Andthatwasfairenoughtoo,besidesbeinggoodtheatre.

TheDefenceexpertsweremostlyimportedfromtheSouth.ThefamousLondongunsmith,RobertChurchill,wasthefirstofthese.TheCrownhadalreadyproducedanEdinburghgunsmith,oneMacnaghten,whohadridiculedthepistolitself.ThishadbeenboughtbyDonald-therewasnodoubtabout,nodenialof,that-thoughhisreasonsforthepurchasevaried.InoneversionithadbeenboughtforshootingrabbitsontheBraidHills,inanotherbecausehewasgoingonholidayinFrance,asifeveryoneknewthataweaponwasnecessaryifyouintendedtomakesodangerousatour.(PerhapshehadbeenreadingtoomuchDornfordYates.)InMacnaghten’sviewthepistolwasquiteuselessforshootingrabbits,fartooshortinthebarrel;onlyofsomeuseforselfdefence.Suchstrictureswereactuallyirrelevant.TheyprovednothingbeyondthefactthatDonaldwasarottenjudgeof

firearmsandhadnoideawhattobuy;thathehadbeenilladvisedbytheshopwhereheboughtit.Nobodyhadsuggestedthatthemurderwaspremeditated,thathehadboughtthepistolwiththeintentionofshootinghismother.Andifhehad,itwasstillapoorchoice,sinceMrsMerretthadlingeredtendaysaftertheshooting,mothersbeingatleastashardtokillasrabbits.

Allthatwasratherpointless,Churchill’sevidencefortheDefencebeingagooddealmoreformidable.HedealtarrogantlyenoughwiththeCrowncase.Hiswholepose,welljustifiedofcourse,wasthatofthemanofinfiniteexperience.Hehadnodifficultyinbelievinginthepossibilityofeithersuicideoraccident.Hecouldexplainanythingaway.Taketheabsenceofblackeningforexample.He,Churchill,taughtshootingandhehadfoundthatwomengenerallyflinchedwhenfiringweapons.Itwas`aninstinctiveaversion’.Theresultmighteasilybetojerktheheadawaysothatthebulletmight,eveninacaseofsuicide,befiredquitefarfromthehead.ItwasunfortunateofcoursethatthispremonitoryjerkhadnottakenthewretchedMrsMerrett’sheadaltogetheroutofthelineoffire;but,thoughthispointwasn’tmade,thefactthatdeathhadnotbeeninstantaneous,thattheshothadbeeninasensebotched,mightbeheldtosupportChurchill’sargument.Whatwasmore,therewereallsortsofconceivablewaysinwhichherdeathcouldhavebeentheresultofanaccident.Thefactthatthetriggerrequiredapulloffivepoundswasnotconclusive.Shecouldeasilyhaveknockedthepistoloffthebureau,withfatalconsequences.Accidentswereextremelyvarious.Thenagain,thepositionofthewoundprovednothing,evenapartfromthepremonitoryjerk.Churchillhadknownofacasewhereawomanhadshotherselfbehindtheear.Finally,askedwhetherhehadeverheardofawomanshootingherselfinthepresenceofanearrelative,hewasuptothatimprobabilitytoo.Yes,hehadknownofawomanwhohadshotherselfsittinginanarmchairbythefiresidewhileherhusbandsleptinhischairontheothersideofthehearth.InshortChurchill’sevidenceofferedamasterlyexhibitionofscepticism.

Hewasfollowedbythemostcelebratedandimpressiveof

theDefencewitnesses,nolessaperson,evenapersonage,thanSirBernardSpilsbury,famedinthepopularpressandknowntoeveryaficionadoofmurderastheHomeOfficepathologist.Spilsburywasindeedthecremedelacreme,theexpertofexperts.NormallyofcourseheappearedfortheCrown,beingretainedbytheHomeOffice.Hisappearanceinthisunfamiliarrole,possibleonlybecausethetrialwastakingplaceinScotland,addednewdramaandpiquancy.Securinghisserviceshadbeenanundoubtedcoup.Spilsbury,whoalwaysgavetheimpressionofnotthinkingtoobadlyofhimself,clearlyrelishedhisnewpart.Courtroomswerehistheatre.NowhesettoworktodemolishtheCrown’stheories.LikeChurchillhislinewasoneofaninfinitelyexperiencedandwordly

scepticism.Yes,indeed,onewouldnormallyexpectblackeningaroundawoundwhenapistolhadbeenheldclosetothehead.DrBell,`whohadlookedforanysignofblackeningbutfoundnone’,wascertainlycorrect,asfarashewent.Only,saidSpilsbury,`thebleedingfromandrubbingofthewoundmighthaveremovedblackening’.Morever,hehadtestedapistolofthesamecalibreagainstcardboardfromcontacttoadistanceofsixinchesawayandfoundverylittleblackening.Pistolsdifferedintheireffect.Then,whenhehadrepeatedthetestagainstpiecesofskin,theblackeninghadbeenstilllessdistinctthanoncardboardandhadbeenmoreeasilywashedaway.Itwasimpossibletorelyonblackening.

Thenatureofthewoundwasequallyinconclusive.Inthefirstplace,`almostanysuicidalwoundmaybeimitatedbyahomicidalwound’.Then,andhedemonstratedthis,itwasperfectlypossibleforsomeonetoshootthemselveswhenholdingthepistolinaquiteextraordinaryposition.Hehimselfcouldrecallthecaseofamanwhohadshothimselffromhalfaninchbehindhisrightear,andthebulletpassedoutimmediatelyabovetheleftear.Thatshowedwhatcouldhappen.Moreover,`itwouldbeeasyforawoman,whowouldhaveconsiderableshoulderjointmovementowingtoherdoingupherhair’toshootherselffromanunusualangle.Accidentcouldnotberuledouteither.`Inmyownexperience’hesaid,`mostextraordinarypositionssometimesresultfromtheacci168

dentaldischarge’.Whocouldignoresuchauthority?

Finally,turningtowhatMrsMerretthadsaid,orwasreportedtohavesaid,inhospital,healignedhimselffirmlywithProfessorRobertson.`Ithinkthatanysuchstatementsmustbeacceptedwithgreatcaution’,hesaid.`Maysuchstatement’,MrAitchisonasked,`appeartobemadebyapersonofnormalmentality,whosementalityisinfactabnormal’.SirBernard’sreplywassimpleandcertain:`Yes.’Theeffectofhisscepticismwasgreat.Therewasnoreasontoexcludeanything.He,Spilsbury,withtheauthorityofalifetime,found`nothinginconsistentwithsuicideoraccident’.

AsintheChantrellecasetheconflictingtestimonyoftheexpertsmadethingsdifficultforthejury.Thatmustalmostalwaysbethecase;indeeditmaybequestionedhowmuchofsuchexpertevidenceajuryeverreallyfollows.Toput

thispointofviewisnottodenigratetheintelligenceofjurymen.Thefactisthatevidenceofthissortisusuallyhardenoughtograspeveninprintedform.Readingtheaccountsoftrials,onehasconstantlytoretraceone’sstepsinanattempttounderstandexactlywhatexpertsaresaying.JurymenprobablyrelyonthetrainedintelligenceoftheJudgetomakethingscleartothem,tocutaswathethroughthewebofwords,orguidethemthroughthelabyrinthoftechnicallanguage.Butwhenoneexpertcontradictsanother,evenJudgesmaybeindifficulty.

Intheenditmaybethatagooddealofexpertevidencemerelywastestime,thejurybeingimpressedmorebycharacterastheyperceiveitthanbyargument.Ifthisisso,andbothcommonsenseandexperiencesuggestitis,muchoftheargumentreallyturnsnotonwhatispossible,butonwhatseemsprobable.Yetpossibilitiesareoftendiscussedatgreaterlength-inCourt.ThatcertainlyhappenedintheMerrettcase.Hourswerespentarguingaboutthedistanceofthedischargeandthepositionofthewound.Yetclearlyenoughinconsistenciesofexperienceaboundinsuchmatters.Themostextraordinaryaccidentsdooccur;onedoesnothavetobeawriterofdetectivestoriesoftheingenuityofaMichaelInnesorDorothyL.Sayerstoseethat.Itisnotofcoursesurprising.thattimeshouldbeconsumedinthissortofargument,since

thoseexpertsdealinwhatisapparentlysusceptibleofscientificverification.Nevertheless,inthelastresort,thiscasedidnotreallyturnonthepresenceorabsenceofblackening,whateverMrAitchisonmayhavepersuadedareluctantLittlejohntoadmit.Certainlyiftherewasblackening,suicide,accidentandmurderwereallpossible,thoughthechancesofsuicideweresomewhatimproved.Equallycertainly,theabsenceofblackeningdidnotabsolutelyexcludesuicide,thoughitmadethechancesofmurderrathergreater.Butthatwasalltherewastoit.Thetechnicalevidence,offeredbysoglitteringanarrayofexperts,settledpreciselynothing.(Itmayofcoursebeobjectedthatthetechnicalevidencecouldhavepersuadedthemonewayoranother,andthatdifferenttechnicalevidencemighthavebeendecisive;thatallIamsayingisthatherethetechnicalevidencewastoocontradictorytobeconclusive.Butthatisfrequentlythecase;expertscanalwaysberecruitedandtheirevidenceissometimesspeciousandrarelyunimpeachable.)

ItcamedownthereforetoaquestionofwhatthejurybelievedaboutDonaldand

MrsMerrett.DidtheybelievethatMrsMerrett,sittingwritingthatlettertoanoldfriend,inwhichshetoldherthatshehadatlastacquiredasatisfactoryflatandamaid,shouldsuddenly,inthepresenceofheronlychild,whipoutapistol,plantitagainstherheadandpullthetrigger?Andwhatwasthemotiveassigned?ShewasdistressedandshockedthatDonald,whosebehaviourhithertohadnotalwaysbeenexemplary,buttowhomshewasdevoted,shouldhavebeendiscoveredtobeaforgerandutterlyunreliable.Apainfulshockcertainly,butsufficienttopersuadethejurythatitwascausetoblowherbrainsout?TheycouldhardlyacceptthatpropositionwithoutabandoningtheconvictionthatMrsMerrettwasareasonableandsaneperson.Itwashardlytheactof`acheerfulandbrightwoman,apersonofmethodicalhabits,neverseeninanexcitablestate’.NothingthatwaslearnedofMrsMerrettatthetrialmadesuicideseemlikely,whateverSirBernardSpilsburymightsaywaspossible.Certainlynotthissortofsuicide;onecouldimaginehertakinganoverdose,butnotblowingherbrainsoutbeforeherbelovedson.

WhatofDonaldandthecaseformurder?Nobodyonthe

jurycanhavethoughtDonaldanythingotherthanaratheroddfish.Theboisterousimmaturityofhisbehaviour,hissilly-cleverduplicity,hiscallousness,allwereevidenceofadisturbedandthoroughlyunreliablepersonality.Helookedanoddfishtoo.AphotographtakenofhimashearrivedattheCourtshowshimpeeringoutfromunderahugebrimmedfelthat,throughhorn-rimmedHaroldLloydspectacles.Themouthiscuriouslylongandflat,themouthofapredatoryfish,apikeforinstance.Aloosecollar,withnotie,standsawayfromtheneck.Norwashisbehaviouranymoreprepossessing.TheEveningDispatchreportersaidthatheshowed`asmilingunconcern’onthefirstdayofthetrial,evenashislieswereuncovered.Andhehadliedwithafrequencyandeasethatspokeoflongpractice,andatotaldisregardfortruth,amountingeventoaninabilitytorecogniseit.Hehadliedabouthisreasonsforbuyingthepistol.Moreseriouslyhehadliedabouthismother’sknowledgeofthepistol,forhehadfirstsaidshedidnotknowhehadit,thenthatshenotonlyknewbuthadtakenitawayfromhim.Thistimethereasonforthechangeofstorywasobvious:MrsMerrettcouldhardlyhavekilledherselfwithapistolwhichshedidnotknowtoexist.

Allthesamethelies,oddityandgeneralunreliabilitydidnotquiteamounttoa

convincingproofofmurder.Somethingmorewasneeded;whatwasofferedwasunsatisfactory.Motiveisalwaysaproblem.TheLordjusticeClerkhadweightyandwiseadvicetoofferthejuryonthesubject.Proofofamotivetocommitacrime,howeverimportant,wouldnotdointheabsenceofsufficientevidencetoprovethecommissionofacrime.Eveniftheyweresatisfiedthatacrimehadbeencommittedandthattherewasamotive,theymuststillaskthemselveswhetherthemotivesuggestedwasatallcommensuratewiththecrimesuggested.Andthatundoubtedlyofferedadifficulty.Donaldhad,oneassumes,beenfoundout,orwasatleastonthepointofbeingdiscovered.Butnothingverydreadfulwaslikelytohappentohim.Therewouldbearow,mayevenhavebeenonebeforeRitaarrived,butitwouldblowover,amounttonothingmorethanaspotofunpleasantness.NobodycoulddoubtthatMrsMerrett

wouldsoonhaveforgivenDonald.Nobodycoulddoubtthathewouldnothavebeenabletoextricatehimselfwithashowofpenance.Coulditreallybebelievedthathewouldkillmerelytoescapeaspotofunpleasantness?Washethatabnormal?

Commonsensetendstobeginwiththequestionofmotivewhateverjudgesmaysagelyadvise.Buthere,evenifthemotivecouldbeswallowed,thequestionofthemechanicsofthecrimeremaineduncertain.RitaSutherlandsawmotherandsonintheirsittingroom,motherwritingletters,soninthearmchairreadingabook.Shethenwentthroughtothekitchen.InafewminutesDonaldgetsup,putsdownhisbook,standsoverhismother,readytotakeherlettertothepost.Thenwhenshesays,`Goaway,Donald,youarebotheringme’-aphrasewhichsuggestsaprettylowemotionaltemperatureandonethatbothconfirm-hetakesouthispistolandshootsher;thenpicksuphisbooks,dropsthemonthefloor,goesthroughtothekitchenandsays`Rita,mymotherhasshotherself…’Thejurycouldbeforgivenforthinkingthatthatmadelittlesenseeither.Furthermore,astheLordJustice-Clerkpointedout,`thegunshotwasfiredintheflatatthetimewhenMrsSutherlandwasthere.Itmighthavebeenfiredquiteeasilyinherabsence.’Whywaittillshewasthere?Shemighthavecomeintotheroomatthewrongmoment.Awitnessonthespotishardlywhattheprudentmurdererdesires.

Whatofaccident?Theexpertshadshownthatitwasphysicallypossible.Yetthreepointsmightbemadeagainstthisinterpretationofevents.First,itwas

simplytoowelltimed,tooaptthatMrsMerrettshouldhaveafatalaccidentjustwhenDonald’smalfeasanceshadcometolight;itwasalltoopat.Second,thoughphysicallypossible,itwasinherentlyunlikelyintheabsenceofanysupportingevidence.Third,whichmaybeheldtobethemostpowerfulargumentagainsttheaccidenttheory,wereDonald’swords-‘Rita,mymotherhasshotherself…’Thatfixedhisinterpretationortheonehewasputtingforward.Otherwisethenaturalthingtosaywouldhavebeen,`there’sbeenanaccident..Thejury’sdilemmawasthatnoneoftheexplanationsmade

sense.Theyallinvolvedimprobabilitiesthatreasonrejected.Leastobjectionablewasmurder;allthatrequiredwastobelievethatDonaldMerrettwasabnormal,thoughcertainlynotinanylegalsensemad,thathehadnomoralscruplesandanunusallydemandingego.Evenso,adoucerate-payingchurchgoingEdinburghjurywasgoingtofindithardtobelievethatawellbornyouthfromtherespectableclassescouldpossiblycommitsoghastlyamurderforsuchfrivolousreasons.

ProbablythelongdelaybeforeDonald’sarresttoldinhisfavour,thoughhisCounselproclaimedotherwise.Thefactthatsuicidehadbeenacceptedunquestioninglyatthetime,andthatnobody,astheLordjusticeClerkremarked,hadthenunderstoodMrsMerrett’swordsintheinfirmaryasinvolvingherson’sguilt,madethetrialappearasortofafterthought,consequenttoanddependenton,thechargeofforgery.Thepolice’sworkingassumptionhadbeensuicide.Certainlythismeantthatinvestigationatthetimehadbeenlax,thatthequestionofMrsMerrett’sknowledgeofthepistolhadnotbeenthoroughlyexaminedandthattheconflictofRitaSutherland’stwostorieshadbeenignored.Moreover,thelongdelaymeantthatwitnesses’memoriesweremorethanusuallyunreliableandthefailuretotakeadyingdepositionfromMrsMerretthadevenallowedtheDefencetocallinquestiontheadmissibilityofevidencerelatingtoherversionofevents.Thereweresimplytoomanycontradictionsandunexplainedrevisonsofevidenceforanyjurytofeelconfident.WhenMrAitchisonsaidthat,`hecouldnotunderstandhowtheLordAdvocatecouldthrowovertheevidenceofInspectorFlemingandDrRosaandaskthemtoaccepttherevisedversionofMrsSutherland…’,theconscientiousjurymancouldonlynodhisheadinsympatheticagreement.Afterall,hemighthavethought,whatRitaSutherlandsaidtotheInspectorandtoDrRosawasabsolutelyclearandestablishedthecertaintyofsuicide…Imaymyselfpreferherrevisedversion,butcanIbe

absolutelysure….?AndthatiswhatIneed…certainty….

MrAitchisonmadeafrankappealtosentiment.Rougheadwastodescribehisclosingaddressasoneofthetwobesthe

everheard;andyetitcontainedhardlyanyrealargument.Itwasdirectedattheemotions,notattheintellect;andinthisMrAitchisonwasalmostcertainlywise.Foritwasclearenoughthatthecaselogicallytendedtowardsanadmissionofmurder,howeverimprobableitmightseem,ifonlybecauseallotherexplanationsseemedstilllesslikely;eliminatetheimpossible,andwhateverremains,howeverimprobable,mustbethetruth.Yetproofwasnotclinching;itcouldbeupsetbysentiment.Helaiditonthick.`IsaywiththeutmostrespectthatifyousendthisladintolifewiththeverdictofNotProven,withthestigmawhichitimpliesuponhim,youaretakingatremendousresponsibilityonyourshoulders….’Thatwasclever.Itimpliedthattheycouldnotconvictbutadmittedthattheywereunlikelytoacquit.Theword`lad’,notveryaptwhenonelooksatphotographsofMerrett,withhishoodedheavypredatoryfeatures,emphasizedthejury’sresponsibility;itwasalmostasiftheywereinlocoparentistotheorphanedDonald;theywerethemenwhowoulddecidehisfuture.ConcerningthatthoughMrAitchisonwasreadywithpromisestoo:`Sendoutthisladafreemanwithacleanbilland,sofarasIcanjudge,hewillneverdishonouryourverdict’.Thatwasaskingabitmuch,askingthemindeedtoconflatethemurderchargewheretheevidencewascertainlydubiousandunsatisfactorywiththeforgeryonewheredoubtofDonald’sguiltwashardlypossible.

Thejuryfoundthatpartoftheirtaskeasy.Theirdebateonthemurderchargecametolessthanmighthavebeenexpected.Theywereoutforonlyfifty-fiveminutes.Thatsuggeststheytookanessentiallycommonsenseviewofthematter,thattheyquicklyagreedthatthetechnicalquestionhadnotbeenresolvedandthatanythingbeingpossible,murder,suicideoraccident,thematterjustfellbackonthesimplequestion;`Doyouthinkhedidit?’Theytookavote:fivesaidGuilty;tenthoughtit`NotProven’.ForallMrAitchison’seloquence,nobodywaspreparedtosay`NotGuilty’.

Theirverdictwasfairenough.Sufficientdoubtremained.Yetfew,freeofresponsibilityintheaffair,haveeverhesitatedtoproclaimDonaldguilty.Thechancesareindeedstrongthathedidit.Theterm`miscarriageofjustice’isoften

restrictedto

caseswhereaninnocentmanisconvicted;itmayequallyfairlybeappliedtoacaselikethisone,whereaguiltymangoesfree.OnecannothelpfeelingthatanythoroughandefficientpoliceinvestigationatthetimewouldhaveresultedinamoreconvincingCrowncase,offeringfewerloopholesandalesseasyaccesstosentiment.

Hewassentdownfortwelvemonthsontheforgerycharge,asentencehegreeted`withstoicalcalm’.AconsiderablecrowdoutsidetheHighCourtcheeredhimasheemerged,cigaretteinmouthanddivedintoavan.Thatwasratherstrange;hemighthavebeenmorefairlyregardedasamonster.Hewasseentowaveinjauntystyletotwofriends,possiblyMissChristieandScott,moreprobablytheselfstyledLadyMenzies,withwhomhehadbeenlodgingatthetimeofhisarrest,andherdaughterwhomhewastomarry.HeservedhissentenceinthenewprisonofSaughton.Rougheadwasproperlyindignant,describingitas`asortofpenalgardencity,affordinginitshumaneandhygienicregimetheadvantagesofarest-cure,acriminousnursinghome,andcombiningagreeablypunishmentwithamusement.’Someexaggerationthere,andaviewofSaughtonmoreeasilyheldfromBelgraveCrescent,justbehindBuckinghamTerraceitself,whereRougheadlived,assiduouslyanddelightedlyrecordingcrimeinblandignoranceofthestressesthatmaypromoteit.Still,inthiscase,theoldman’sscepticismwaswellenoughfounded.NotonlydidDonaldMerrettemergetoalifeofswindling,falsepretences,smuggling,gunrunning,blackmarketeering,allinterspersedwithspellsinBritishandContinentaljails,buteventually,in1954,exasperatedbyhiswife’srefusaltogivehimadivorce,infatuatedwithaGermanblonde,andwantingtogethishandsonmoneywhichhehadmadeovertohiswife,hetriedtobringoffasecond`perfectmurder’;andbotchedit,hadtokillhismother-in-lawaswell(clumsily);foundthatatlasthisluckhadrunout;andshothimselfinawoodinGermany.Sohecappedapointlesslife,deadtomorality,concernedwithnothingmorethanthegratificationoftheimmediateinstant.Deeplyunpleasant,superficiallycharming,neveradvancingbeyondtheimperativeof`Iwant’,therecanbe

littledoubtthatDonaldMerrettwasluckythatEdinburghspring,littledoubt

eitherthathewassavedbytheprimandunimpeachablerespectabilityofBuckinghamTerrace.

Aitchison,Craigie,K.C.,CounselforMerrett,155,161etseq.

Allan,LordProvost,mobbed10.Armstrong,MajorHenry,Poisoner,40.

Balfour,Ebenezer,Fictionalcharacter,onvirtuesofporridge59.

Bagrie,George,incompetentthief,26.

BairdAnnaC,friendofLizzieChantrelle,100etseq.

Banks,Isabella,evidenceof132,136.

Banks,Joseph,suspectsandinforms134.

Banks,MrsJoseph,landlady,evidenceof132,138.

Bell,DrJoseph,modelforSherlockHolmes,133,165.

Bellingham,William,murdersPrimeMinister40.Bennison,Helen,born52,

interviewwithfather78.Bennison,jean(neeHamilton),5071passim.

Bennison,William,murderer,3,8,40,49-80passim.

Berry,hangman,141-2.

Black,Dr,resourcefulcriminal,27.Bonner,LocalGovernmentOfficial,examinesgibbet15.

Borrow,George,writer,quoted9.

Boswell,James,writer,147.Brass,Robert,PoliceSergeant,

evidenceof93.

Brown,Captain,ChiefofPolice,receivesrewardforexertions16,onuse

ofinformers29,sendsHaggart(q.v.)toprison30.

Brummell,George,dandy,Haggartresembles38.Bucket,Inspector,fictional

detective,22.

Burke,Edmund,Irishstatesman,quoted1.

Burke,Edward,Irishmurderer,5,selflessbehaviourof141.

Burnie,Janet,child-minder,131-2,136-7,139.

Byng,Admiral,encouragementtoothers43.

ByrneMary,maidservant,90,evidenceof98-9,103-5,insured103.

Campbell,Elizabeth,maidservant,givesbirthanddies129.

Canning,George,politician,11.Carmichael,DrJames,physician,calledbyChantrelle107-8,evidenceof112.

Carr,Andrew,evidenceof59CastlereaghViscount,politician,11.

Chantrelle,Elizabeth(‘Lizzie’),neeDyer,81-126passim.