They had heard the story of Mr. Meager's grey coat, and
of the construction of the duplicate key for Mr. Meager's house-door.
It was not for him to tell them on the present occasion whether these
stories, and the evidence by which they had been supported, tended
to affix guilt elsewhere. It was beyond his province to advert to
such probability or possibility; but undoubtedly the circumstances
might be taken by them as an assistance, if assistance were needed,
in coming to a conclusion on the charge against the prisoner.
"Gentlemen," he said at last, "I think you will find no difficulty in
acquitting the prisoner of the murder laid to his charge," whereupon
the jurymen put their heads together; and the foreman, without half
a minute's delay, declared that they were unanimous, and that they
found the prisoner Not Guilty. "And we are of opinion," said the
foreman, "that Mr. Finn should not have been put upon his trial on
such evidence as has been brought before us."
The necessity of liberating poor Phineas from the horrors of his
position was too urgent to allow of much attention being given at
the moment to this protest.
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