distinction between his case and the others. I fear that there can
be no question that he had prior acquaintance with these men, and
that he was cognizant of the whole business; something I heard
him say, and which, to my regret, I shall have to repeat in court,
almost proves that he was so. Still, let us hope none of the stolen
property will be found upon him; whether they had intended to pass
it over to his care or not is immaterial. If they had not done so,
I doubt whether he could be charged with receiving stolen goods, and
we might make the charge simply one of aiding these two criminals,
and of being so far an accessory after the crime.

"If we could soften it down still further I should, for his father's
sake, be glad; but as far as he himself is concerned, I would do
nothing to lighten his punishment. He is about as bad a specimen
of human nature as I ever came across. His father is in bodily fear
of him. I saw the young fellow yesterday, and urged him to enlist,
in order to break himself loose from the bad companionship he had
fallen into. His reply was insolent and defiant in the highest
degree, and it was then that in his father's name I forbade him
the house, and as his father was present he confirmed what I said,
and told him that he would not have anything more to do with him.
This affair may do him good, and save his neck from a noose. A few
years at the hulks or a passage to Botany Bay will do him no harm;
and, at any rate, his father will have rest and peace, which he
never would have if he remained here."

A somewhat similar conversation took place at each house. John
Thorndyke breakfasted at Sir Charles Harris', the last of the three
upon whom he called, and then mounting rode back to Reigate.