He hesitated a moment and then asked me my motive for wishing to be present at it.
"Merely curiosity," said I.
He then observed that as the examination would be a private one, my being permitted or not was quite optional.
"I am aware of that," said I, "and if you think my remaining is objectionable I will forthwith retire." He looked at the clerk, who said there could be no objection to my staying, and turning round to his superior said something to him which I did not hear, whereupon the magistrate again bowed and said that he should he very happy to grant my request.
We went upstairs and found the wounded man in bed with a bandage round his forehead, and his wife sitting by his bedside.

The magistrate and his officials took their seats, and I was accommodated with a chair.
Presently the prisoner was introduced under the charge of a policeman.
He was a fellow somewhat above thirty, of the middle size, and wore a dirty white frock coat; his right arm was partly confined by a manacle.
A young girl was sworn, who deposed that she saw the prisoner run after the other with something in his hand.

The wounded man was then asked whether he thought he was able to make a deposition; he replied in a very feeble tone that he thought he was, and after being sworn deposed that on the preceding Saturday, as he was going to his stall, the prisoner came up to him and asked whether he had ever done him any injury?
he said no.
"I then," said he, "observed the prisoner's countenance undergo a change, and saw him put his hand to his waistcoat-pocket and pull out a knife.

I straight became frightened, and ran away as fast as I could; the prisoner followed, and overtaking me, stabbed me in the face.

I ran into the yard of a public-house and into the shop of an acquaintance, where I fell down, the blood spouting out of my wound." Such was the deposition of the wounded butcher.