CAPTURE OF A JIURDERER. JSI 



Magenis to keep a look-out round the premises, in 

 case the man should attempt to run away, while 1 en- 

 tered the barn and outhouses in search of him. The 

 barn was the first scene of investigation ; there lay 

 his jacket and the newly threshed corn, so I was sure 

 I was close upon him. In another instant I heard Mr. 

 IMagenis's voice, and on joining him I found him with 

 the man in custody ; it was then agreed between us, 

 that he should ride off to another barn, where there 

 was one of the gang supposed to be at work, and 

 keep a watch over it while I conveyed the prisoner 

 to Harrold Hall. I then produced a cord from my 

 pocket and tied the prisoner's elbows together, and 

 proceeded along the high road, having to pass through 

 the village of Carleton. The man appeared very re- 

 luctant to walk and very sulky, and asked me " what 

 I took him for ?" I replied on a charge of murder, 

 telling him at the same time he might say as little or 

 as much as he pleased about it ; but that, whatever he 

 said would be noted down by me, and perhaps used 

 ao:ainst him. He volunteered one or two sentences, 

 which showed me at once that he knew all about the 

 transaction on the night on which the keeper was 

 shot, and then relapsed into such a snail's pace that 

 I had to inform him he must step out. On reach- 

 ing Carleton I saw a head peep forth of the black- 

 smith's shop, and had I had any one into whose charge 

 I could have delivered the prisoner, the fact of my 

 being able to capture the ringleader would then and 

 there have depended on who was the faster run- 

 ner; for, on seeing me with the man in custody, the 

 ringleader, as it was afterwards proved, was reported 

 involuntarily to have exclaimed, " Here comes Mr. 

 Berkeley with one on 'em in custody ! " and rushing 



