Explore "Moreton Bay" by F.W. Mole on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
The murder of Earl Belriven excited considerable interest as well on account of his lordship's ancient lineage as of the high respect in which the accused persons, Nigel Lording and Mary Worthington, were held by the people of Devon.
It was not denied that Mary Worthington paid a visit to the Manor on the fatal afternoon of the Earl's murder, nor was it denied that he had been done to death by means of a stiletto which had been the property of Nigel Lording and on which was engraved his name. On these facts alone, the police deemed it prudent to take Nigel Lording and Mary Worthington into custody. Certain other facts were adduced in evidence against them upon their various examinations before the magistrates; but strong as were the suspicions excited against the accused, it was felt that there was still good reason to believe that they would escape conviction, notwithstanding that the Coroner's jury had returned a verdict of wilful murder, and when it was taken into consideration that experienced counsel in the person of Mr. Flower, a well known criminal advocate, was engaged to conduct their defence. On the other hand, a Mr. Hart, one of the ablest criminal barristers in England, was briefed on behalf of the prosecution.