By W. W. Ravenhill, Esq. 47 



occurred to somebody that the fact of Perry's. non-return the night 

 before was a matter which should be explained. Perry offered so un- 

 satisfactory an account of himself tbat the next day (Saturday, Aug. 

 18th) he was brought before a magistrate and gave the following story 

 of what he had done that night. " He said that on his being ordered 

 to go to Charringworth, he started and at a land's length he met 

 William Read,of Campden. He told him where he was going, that he 

 was afraid to proceed, and would fetch his young master'shorseandride 

 on him. That he returned with Read to his master's gate, where they 

 parted. Perry said he stayed there for some time, and a man named 

 Pearce came by, and he went a bow-shot's length with him towards 

 Charringworth, but then they returned and parted ; and he, still 

 afraid to go alone, went to his master's hen-roost, and laid down 

 there an hour. The clock struck twelve, he started once more. As 

 he went a mist came on, he lost his way, took shelter in a hedge 

 till daybreak ; and then went to Charringworth, where he saw one 

 Edward Plaisterer, who told him Mr. Harrison had been to him the 

 night before and received £23 from him, but was with him only a 

 short time. He also went to a man named Courtis, at whose house 

 Mr. Harrison had been, but, as he did not see him, no information 

 was gained. That then he, Perry, returned homewards and 

 met Mr. Edward Harrison." A poor creature this Perry ! and 

 everyone of the men above-mentioned were called and said that 

 what he had said about them was correct enough. Then the 

 magistrate asked why he had courage at twelve which he had not 

 at nine. His answer was ready ; " At twelve there was a moon, but 

 at nine it was dark. Moreover, that though near his master's 

 house till twelve he did not go in because he knew his master had 

 not returned, for there was a light burning in his room, which 

 never was there so late, when he was at home." 



But though frightened Perry's story, supported as it was by his own 

 pallid face, and the witnesses whom he called, might seem satisfactory 

 enough, not so thought the Campden magistrate. Perry was out that 

 night, Mr. Harrison had not come home, therefore Perry may have 

 murdered him. Accordingly he was kept in custody till the fol- 

 lowing Friday, August 24th (during this remand he was again probed 



