He knew it was folly to deceive your lawyer, so he was frank.

Mr.Middleton learned his client's guilt and danger, but also that his enemies had flaws in their armor.
The first shot he fired was to get warrants out against a dozen miners, Jem Davies included, for a murderous assault; but he made no arrests, he only summoned.

So one or two took fright and fled.

Middleton had counted on that, and it made the case worse for those that remained.

Then, by means of friends in Derby, he worked the Press.
An article appeared headed, "Our Savages." It related with righteous indignation how Mr.Bartley's miners had burned the dead body of a miner suspected of having fired the mine, and put his own life in jeopardy as well as those of others; and then, not content with that monstrous act, had fallen upon and beaten to death a gentleman in whom they thought they detected a resemblance to some person who had been, or was suspected of being that miner's accomplice; "but so far from that," said the writer, "we are now informed, on sure authority, that the gentleman in question is a large and wealthy landed proprietor, quite beyond any temptation to crime or dishonesty, and had actually visited this part of the world only in the character of a peace-maker, and to discharge a very delicate commission, which it would not be our business to publish even if the details had been confided to us." The article concluded with a hope that these monsters "would be taught that even if they were below the standard of humanity they were not above the law." Middleton attended the summonses, gave his name and address, and informed the magistrate that his client was a large landed proprietor, and it looked like a case of mistaken identity.