October 28th: Coombs released from custody

Illustrated Police News, October 28^th, 1893.

The Bath Mystery.

At Weston, near Bath, on Tuesday, Arthur Coombs, coachbuilder’s apprentice, was again charged, on remand, with having murdered Elizabeth Luke, alias Wilkie, on August Bank Holiday, 1891. The court was again besieged by the public, who crowded it. Mr Canning Collins prosecuted for the Crown, and Mr. Titley defended.

Alfred Phillips, clerk, said he saw prisoner and Wilkie in the wood leading to Hampton Down on Sunday, July 26^th, 1891. He fixed the date by  knowing that on the following Bank Holiday he appeared as clown in a gymnastic display.

Edwin Dyke, who was a fellow-apprentice with Coombs in 1891, said that on the Saturday preceding August Bank Holiday in that year he noticed nothing wrong with prisoner’s hand. In reply to the magistrates witness said Coombs did not go to camp with the Volunteers that year.

Mr. Collins said that as Mr. Titley had suggested that Coombs’ hand was injured at the Liberal fete in 1891 he proposed to call police present at that meeting to show that no disturbance occurred.

Mr Titley objected, but the Bench admitted the evidence. A sergeant and several constables were called to show that no disturbance took place.

Mr. Collins said that was all the evidence he was in a position to offer. He had carefully considered the statements of other persons, but did not think it would be advantageous to call them. He did not think he should be justified in asking the Bench to commit the prisoner for trial. If he went to trial and the evidence was found insufficient the matter would be closed for ever, whereas if a different course were taken, at any time, if important evidence was discovered, Coombs might be called upon to answer the charge.

Mr. Poole, magistrate, said they had determined to call Miss Polly Sheppard, the girl with whom the prisoner had been keeping company, and whose letters to Coombs had been read. The prosecution were bound to lay before the court all the available facts and evidence that could assist them in coming to a right decision. They should not suppress or refrain from calling witnesses who might throw some light on the case.

Miss Sheppard, in her examination, said she had known the prisoner since February, 1891. She knew Wilkie through having seen her with Coombs. Wilkie followed witness about and annoyed her, and she struck her on one occasion. Wilkie complained to Sergeant Smith. Witness was engaged to Coombs in March, 1892. Sheppard was closely questioned as to the letters written by her to Coombs. She said she knew deceased had gone to prisoner’s parents to make a noise, and alleged that Coombs had got her into trouble. One of her letters, an angry one, was due to unpleasantness she had had with Coombs on account of a report that he had been going out with another girl, but not with Wilkie. She did not on any occasion persuade Coombs to give Wilkie up, because she knew he was not walking with her. Coombs had nothing whatever to do with Wilkie after he walked with witness. She had complained to Coombs of Wilkie’s behaviour to her. Her impression was that Wilkie’s object was to break off the engagement if possible. When she charged prisoner with behaving in an underhand and two-faced manner she did not refer in any way to Wilkie. She had kept some of Coombs’ letters to her, and Mr. Titley had had them.

Mr Poole: Did Coombs ever say anything about Wilkie? No; he did not say any more than that he judged she had gone away. We heard that she had stolen some things, and that the detectives were after her.

By Mr. Titley: She was engaged to the prisoner, and they were to be married soon after he was out of his apprenticeship. She hoped to be married to him on August Bank Holiday, 1891. She went with Coombs to Bath Theatre to see “The Dancing Girl,” prisoner calling for her between five and half-past in the evening. His thumb was tied up with rag, and he said he had injured it at Kensington, where there had been a little fight. – I suppose you had found him like other young men of between eighteen and twenty – led away occasionally by other young ladies of good looks, eh? Yes. (Laughter.) – And you were, like most other girls, inordinately jealous? Perhaps.

The chairman said that although the prosecutinglicitor had made out a case of strong suspicion, the magistrates felt that they were not justified in keeping the prisoner any longer under restraint, and the case would be dismissed.

There were deafening cheers in court as Coombs stepped out of the dock and kissed his father. The cheers were renewed as he drove away in a cab with Miss Sheppard.

Since his release from custody Coombs has been the recipient of hundreds of letters of congratulation and sympathy from all parts of the country. When Dr Craddock reopens the inquest to-day at Bathampton, in all probability Mr Titley, Coombs’ solicitor, will offer him as a witness.

October 26th: detailed statements at the Coroner's inquiry

Bristol Mercury, October 26^th, 1893.

The Bath Tragedy.

Resumed Inquest.

A Witness Fined.

The resumed inquest on the body of Elsie Adeline Luke, the Hampton Down victim, was held yesterday morning in the Parish room, Bathampton, before the Coroner for North Somerset, Mr Samuel Craddock. Arthur Stevenson Coombs, the young apprentice who was discharged by the Weston magistrates, was present with his sweetheart, Mary Sheppard, and the young man’s mother and father were also present. The proceedings opened at  9.40, when

Mr E B Titley (Coombs solicitor) said he had already intimated to the Coroner that Arthur Stevenson Coombs desired to attend before the jury and make a statement of such facts as were within his knowledge. Up to the present time, according to the rules of the English courts, his mouth had been closed, and he therefore wished to take the first opportunity of clearing himself, so far as he had not already been cleared by the inquiry before the magistrates.

There was some considerable delay for the arrival of the witnesses, and Sergt. Edwards, in reply to Mr Craddock, remarked that the whole of the subpoenas were served yesterday.

As no fresh witnesses had arrived at 10.35, the Coroner decided to recall the servant, Kate Bullock, who had arrived a few minutes previous. He also intimated that as it was his intention to call the young man Coombs and Miss Sheppard he should require them out of court.

Mr Titley-  Mr and Mrs Coombs had better go out of court too, perhaps.

The witnesses then left the court.

The Coroner (to the witness Bullock) – Did you receive a subpoena yesterday? – Yes.

Have you got it here? – Yes.

And that states the time you are to be here at 9.20?—Yes.

Then is this 9.20? – No.

Well, I shall have to fine you. I shall fine every witness that has been late.

The witness was then sworn. She gave a list of the articles of wearing apparel left by the deceased at Cheriton house on leaving Mrs Kerry’s service. She also saw the girl’s box opened by Mrs Kerry. There were some letters inside, but she did not read them.

The Coroner – Now, you remember our last inquiry? – Yes.

And you remember Mrs Dillon here? – Yes.

And after the inquiry did you have any conversation with Mrs Dillon? – Yes, I went home with her.

Did Mrs Dillon caution you in any way about giving evidence? – (No answer).

Now tell the truth. You are on your oath. You must tell me – did she caution you? – No sir, she diddn’t.

Didn’t she tell you not to say too much? – (No answer).

Did she tell you you should leave it to the police to find out? – Well she did tell me –

Now tell me the exact words. (To the sergeant)—Bring Mrs Dillon in here please, that she may face it out.

Here Mrs Dillon was brought into the court, and accommodated with a seat beside the witness.

The coroner (to Mrs Dillon) – She has told us some conversation which has taken place between you. (Addressing the girl Bullock) – Mrs Dillon told you she knew a good deal more than she had said? – Yes, sir.

Mrs Dillon (excitedly) – That is wrong, sir; I never said such a thing.

Bullock (hastily) – You did tell me; you told me that over here yourself.

The Coroner – Did she say anything further on this point? – (No answer.)

Did she say to you “Take care not to say too much,” or something of that kind?

Witness hesitated for some time, but on the Coroner repeating the question she replied in the negative.

What did you tell the police? – (No answer.)

P.S. Edwards – She told me in the presence of Detective Smith that Mrs Dillon told her not to tell us too much, as we were expected to find it out – we were paid to do so.

The Coroner (to Bullock) – Did she say that? – Yes, sir. Mrs Dillon told me she knew more than she had said in her evidence.

She distinctly stated she knew a good deal more than she stated before me? – Yes, sir.

The Coroner (to Mrs Dillon) – Now, what do you say about it? – I never said it. I may have said the police told me I knew more.

The Coroner (addressing Bullock) – Where did she say it? –She told me twice.

Where did she tell you the first time? – Outside the door.

And the second time? – At her own house.

What, at Kingsmead terrace? – Yes, sir.

In reference to the clothes, can you tell me who took the bundle of clothes over the wall? – I know it was a young girl. I can’t say who it was for certain.

Have you any suspicion who it was? – I heard it was Mrs Dillon’s daughter took the things back, but I cannot say if this was correct.

But you are certain in your own mind that they were taken over the wall? --  Yes sir.

Mr Norris (a juryman) – I should like to ask when Mrs Dillon had a conversation with you as regards the police. Did she say that Sergt. Smith had accused her of knowing more? – Oh, yes, she told me that.

Mr Norris (to Supt. Rutherford) – Have you the cuffs?

The cuffs found on the Down were produced and handed to witness.

Mr Norris (to witness) – Do you know whether deceased wore cuffs? Do you know how they were marked? – I knew she wore cuffs, but never noticed any marks on them.

Mrs Kerry, of Cheriton House, was then called into the room. She admitted that she was summoned to be present at 9.20, and said she did not arrive until half-past ten.

The Coroner said she and other witnesses had kept the court waiting an hour and a quarter. It was contempt of court, and he would have to fine her.

Witness explained, in the course of her evidence, that there were 40 or 50 letters, with other  odds and ends, in the box which deceased left at Cheriton house.

The Coroner – Did you open them? – Yes, I just looked at the top of some of them.

Can you call to mind anything you saw in them? – No, I cannot now.

What did you do with them? – Well, after a time, when I found she did not return, I burnt them all.

Mrs Dillon was then sworn.

The Coroner – Now, will you remember that you are on your oath? You must speak the truth and keep back nothing whatever. You heard the girl Bullock’s evidence? – Yes, sir; but she is mistaken.

Well, I shall deal with that by and by. Will you be kind enough to tell the jury what clothes Elizabeth Luke left at your house? – A black dress which she wore on coming there, a comb and comb bag, and a small handglass. There was also the night dress which I sent back.

Do you remember ever taking any clothes to the Golden Lion in Southgate street and offering them for sale? – No, sir.

The Coroner – All right, then; that will do.

Lily Agnes Dillon, daughter of the last witness, denied that she ever fetched the bundles of deceased’s clothing from Cheriton house. She went up there and returned the nightdress and other things. That was on the Tuesday following Bank Holiday.

Supt. Rutherford produced the bundle of letters which he had found in a bag in Arthur Stevenson Coombs’s bedroom on the 28^th September. He found them among others.

Mr Titley – May I take it that the letters opened are some selected out of about 150? – [S.R.] That I can’t say.

The Coroner said there were 195 letters in the bag, which was produced and shown to the jurors.

Mr Titley – Have you brought to your notice a communication from Mrs Morement, of Sheffield? – No.

Not referring to some connection of the girl Wilkie with a Mr Bevan, of Dr Barnardo’s Homes ? – Not me.

Have you had any communication from Mrs Goodrop of Southgate street, in reference to her servant’s statement as to a connection between the deceased and a man whose Christian name was Harry? –No.

Have you made any inquiries into the disappearance of a chemist’s assistant from Mr Partington’s in the latter part of 1891? – The man was found drowned.

Have you ascertained the period? – No.

A Juryman—That was in 1892.

Mr Titley –Has it been brought to your knowledge that this man was in the habit of hunting Hampton Down? – No; he was but a very short time in Bath.

Mary Louisa Sheppard, of Melrose, Wells road, Coombs’s sweetheart, was then examined. She deposed: - My acquaintance with the deceased girl Wilkie began some time in 1890. She was then keeping company with Arthur Stevenson Coombs, but the engagement was broken off in January. I have been engaged to him since February. I cannot remember the last time I saw the deceased alive.

The Coroner – After you became engaged to Coombs do you ever remember meeting the deceased? – Yes, I met with her once outside Mrs Titley’s house when I was with him.

Have you ever met her when you have been alone? – Yes, and she always shouted at me, but I could never make out what she said.

Did she ever assault you? – Yes, she struck me once.

Do you remember writing these letters (produced)? – Yes, they are all in my writing.

Now there is one I have here, dated 2^nd February, 1891; that is the day after you were engaged? – Yes.

Then I won’t disclose anything that I ought not to (laughter). But in this letter I notice a reference to Elsie Wilkie. These are your words: - “I am wondering whether you have heard from Elsie Wilkie, I am longing to see you to know. I will tell you all news when I see you. “ I shall have to taken that down in evidence. Does it refer to Elsie Wilkie? – No, sir.

Here again you begin a letter – “I suppose you think I am a bother to you.” That was five days after you were engaged (laughter). “But really I feel so dreadfully sorry you were so upset. Do not think no more about her, she is  a beast of a girl.”

Then you go on to say, “Of course it cannot be true what she said, because it is nearly six months ago since she left Dyke’s.” Can you tell me what that alludes to? – Not exactly, but he told me that she went to his parents and said that he had ruined her.

Then you say – “She left in August, and you would have seen before this time.” I suppose that is what you were alluding to? – Yes, sir.

And did you notice any difference in her during that time? – No, sir.

But you would if it had been so? – Yes.

Do you remember the time when Luke’s disappearance was first brought to your notice? – No, sir, I went away for three weeks with Mrs Titley, my mistress, at the end of August, and whether it was before or after my return that I first heard she had gone I can’t say.

You did not see him so often in August as in July? – No, at the beginning of August Arthur Coombs fell in with Miss Thorne and went out with her. I never saw them, but was told this.

Anyhow, you did not see Coombs so often as in July? – No, sir. Continuing, witness said: -- At 5.30 in the evening of the August Bank Holiday, 1891, Coombs met me outside Melrose. We had a little walk first and then went to the theatre. We reached there shortly after seven o’clock, and Coombs stayed with me all the evening.

The Coroner – Can you recollect when you saw him after that? – I do not think I saw him again until the following Friday.

Now there’s a letter written on July 19^th, 1891, in which you pitch into him rather hard; “I cannot say any more but that you have deceived me. I am very sorry now that I ever knew you. You could not have meant to meet me last Sunday. I have never been deceived in anyone like I have in you. There is not many girls as would be fooled with as I have. There are some that would make you pay dear for making a fool of them, but that is a thing I should never take the trouble to do. But if you go on serving girls like you have me you will get yourself into a scrape one day.” Well that is very good advice. Now do you mean to say he was flirting with Miss Thorne then? – Yes.

And no one else? – Not that I know of.

But from reading the letter I should say that it referred to someone else. What happened to induce you to write the letter? – I cannot say.

Do you mean to tell me it refers to two different people? – It wasn’t Wilkie.

Now I want you to be very careful on this point. You say in the letter, “She nodded to you on the terrace.” Now doesn’t that refer to Wilkie? – Yes, that did.

Well, there is a chain of continuity absolutely from beginning to end. Do you mean to tell me that one part of the letter refers to Miss Thorne? If so, what part refers to her and what part to Wilkie? – (No answer).

Witness was further questioned on the point, but persisted in her statement that the early portion of the letter had reference to Miss Thorne, and not to Wilkie.

Here the court adjourned for luncheon.

The witness Sheppard was re-examined with reference to the letter of July 19^th, and adhered to her former statement.

The Coroner (to witness) – Now, do you remember whether, at the time of going to the Theatre, Coombs had anything the matter with his hand? – Yes, there was, and he had it bound up.

Did  he tell you how it was done? – He said it happened at Kensington. There was a fight, and a man bit his thumb.

On the Sunday before Bank Holiday did you see Coombs? – No, sir, I don’t remember seeing him.

Mr Norris (a juryman) – How do you fix Bank Holiday as the day upon which you went to the Theatre? – Because I had extra time that night. I was allowed out until 11 o’clock.

Supt. Rutherford – Had your young man been out with you on the Saturday before Bank Holiday? – He was not with me.

Where did he go that day? – He went for a walk, but I don’t know where.

Mr Titley – Are you still engaged to Coombs? – Yes.

And hope to be married to him? – Yes, sir.

The Coroner here read over the depositions and the witness was allowed to leave the court. Mrs E.B. Titley deposed to seeing the previous witness in the pit of the theatre on the night of August Bank Holiday, 1891.

Mrs Ernest Eyres gave evidence bearing on the same point.

The Coroner intimated that this was all the evidence he proposed to take, and the jury must prepare themselves for another adjournment. The resumed inquiry would be to-morrow week.

October 21st: letters

Rhyl Record and Advertiser, 21^st October, 1893.

[…] The Bench decided to hear the evidence of Polly Sheppard, with whom Coombs had been keeping company. This witness said Wilkie had annoyed and struck her, and she knew deceased had gone to prisoner’s parents, created disturbances, and declared he had brought her into trouble. Coombs had nothing to do with Wilkie after walking out with witness. Questioned as to the letter in which she referred to the destruction of other letters, witness said these were not Wilkie’s letters to prisoner, but his letters to deceased, which the latter had returned. […]

October 21st: other witness statements

Illustrated Police News, October 21^st, 1893.

The Bath Mystery.

The Bath coroner last week resumed his investigation of the circumstances attending the death of the girl Wilkie or Luke.

James Robbins, a miller, of Herbert-road, Oldfield-park, stated that on the second Sunday in July, 1891, he accidentally met deceased, who, in course of conversation, said she was going to marry Coombs in two or three weeks. He never heard of the deceased having any other sweetheart, and he did not believe she was a fast girl.

John Edwards, fishmonger’s assistant, said he remembered Coombs, in conversation, making use of the words, “She ought to be dead or killed,” and supposed he alluded to the deceased.

Mrs Andrew Dillon informed the court that from the Saturday before Bank Holiday to the Bank Holiday, August, 1891, Wilkie stayed at her house, but disappeared from that time. The witness knew that the girl had a gold watch similar to that produced, but said she could not remember the silver brooch. In February, 1891, the witness saw a young woman demanding admittance to the house occupied by Mrs Coombs. The young woman rang the bell violently and exclaimed, “They shall hear me- I will be let in!” The Coroner: Could you swear that this was the deceased? The Witness: No; it was a dark, miserable night.

Kate Bullock, formerly fellow-servant with Wilkie at Mrs Kerry’s, definitely fixed the date when the deceased left her situation as the Saturday preceding Bank Holiday. The man who used to visit Wilkie was thin, short, and rather fair. When the deceased went away she said she was not coming back, but did not state where she was going. She left her box and gave no instructions concerning it. The witness knew that Wilkie had a gold watch similar to that produced.

Annie Clare stated that Wilkie told her in March, 1891, that Coombs had broken off their engagement because he had learnt that the deceased was formerly at a reformatory at Stoke.

Alfred Phillips, coal merchant’s clerk, said he was certain he saw the deceased and Coombs together in Hampton Down Wood on the last Sunday in July, 1891.

Mr Titley said it was very important whether the witness was sure as to the date, and observed that Phillips previously was uncertain about the date. The witness replied that he was now certain. When giving evidence before the magistrate he had only just been called from his work.

The inquiry was adjourned until October 25^th. On our first page will be found several sketches appertaining to the case from our special artist at Bath.

October 14th: Coombs and Wilkie seen the week before

Illustrated Police News, October 14^th, 1893.

The Bath Murder.

Arthur Stevenson Coombs, twenty, coachbuilder, was brought up on remand, at Weston, near Bath, on Tuesday, charged with the wilful murder of Elsie Adelaide Luke, alias Wilkie, whose remains were found in a cave on Hampton Down. A remarkable scene was witnessed in the vicinity of the court, hundreds of persons struggling to obtain admission long after the court had been crowded to its utmost capacity.

Mr Cannings Collins, who was instructed by the Treasury, in his address referred to the difficulties experienced by the police after the lapse of so long a time – two years – since the perpetration of the murder in unravelling the details of the mysterious crime. It would be necessary for him at the close of that day’s proceedings to ask for a further remand, in order that the police might continue their investigations. It might be convenient if he offered a few remarks with reference to the case as regarded the prisoner as distinct from that part of the case which might be said to do with the discovery of the remains, because in a murder, and more especially where there was an amount of mystery surrounding the circumstances, as there was here, the subject of motive was of importance.

Where a man had become entangled with with two women, in order to be rid of embarrassment crimes had followed, and he should show that something had been going on between prisoner and two women, the deceased and another woman named Polly Sheppard. It had already been shown that the prisoner had been keeping company with the deceased. They were frequently together, and were seen talking together on the Sunday preceding the August Bank Holiday, so that their friendship had continued, at any rate, up to that time.

After the arrest of the prisoner the detectives went to his home, and there, amongst other things, they found a leather bag with his initials upon them, “A.S.C.” This bag was on Monday taken to a trunk maker’s and unlocked, when it was found to contain a large number of letters, some of which he proposed to read upon the subject of motive. They were letters from a person who signed herself “Polly Sheppard,” and it was clear from the letters that these parties were keeping company, if not actually engaged to be married. These letters contained references to the deceased woman.

The first letter, which was dated February 5^th, 1891, asked the prisoner not to think anything more about the other girl (Luke), as she was “a beast of a girl.” Luke had apparently at that time spoken to the prisoner about her being in trouble, and Miss Sheppard consoled him with the remark, “Of course it cannot be true what she says. She would have told you of it before. She only wants to get you back again. Don’t take any notice of it.” The writer spoke of Luke’s hasty, violent temper, and in another letter stigmatised her pretended conversion as “wicked mockery.” In a third communication she said “Fancy that Elsie Wilkie showing herself down your way. I should think she was ashamed to.” A letter dated April 6^th, 1891, was also read from Sheppard, in which she said, “Every cloud has its silver lining; but that girl thinks she is going to mar our happiness, but she is mistaken.” Another letter implored the prisoner not to take any notice of the deceased, and added that she had put her friend to waylay the writer. There were letters addressed to “Dear Arthur” up to June, but there was another on July 19^th addressed to “Dear Mr. Coombs,” in which Sheppard charged the prisoner with being two-faced, and with being “mean and cruel,” and expressing astonishment that he should take any notice of Wilkie. This was followed by a letter of forgiveness, and Mr. Collins submitted that the letters suggested that there was something in the man’s connection with the two women which was at that time causing him a considerable amount of trouble, and the question was whether it did not supply the reason for the murder. There was nothing to show that the girl was in any way connected wiwth any other man, and it might reasonably be supposed that the position of the prisoner between the two women was such that he was worked up to a high pitch and led to do this deed.

Another point, which he wished to mention was that upon the visit of the detectives to the house of the prisoner they found a small brooch, and that brooch would be shown to have been given to the deceased girl by a friend. The brooch was broken when found in a box at the prisoner’s house; but it was fair to him to say that at the time the brooch was given to the deceased it was without a pin, and it was without a pin now. Mrs Hayman, who had already given evidence, would, however, be recalled, and would state that the girl was wearing the brooch on the Saturday before Bank Holiday when she called upon her. If it were true the circumstance was of course of considerable importance.

There was another circumstance which it would be his duty to lay before them. The prisoner on the th of August was found to be suffering from an injury to his hand, and he sought the aid of Mr. Vigis, chemist. He saw the gentleman on August 5^th and 6^th, and Mr. Vigis, he understood, said that he was suffering from a contused wound on his hand. He did not, however, seem to be satisfied with the treatment which he received, and on August 7^th he appeared to have gone to the Royal United Hospital, and to have been treated by Mr. Lace, who was at that time the house surgeon. The man who gave the prisoner’s name and address, as would be seen from the hospital books, was suffering from a wound in the thumb, which was described in the books as a human bite (Sensation). This was a very material matter indeed, because whoever committed the crime probably engaged in a death struggle on the bank of the cave, and that, coupled with the disposition of the body and the concealment of it amongst the rocks, would not improbably lead to some bruising and wounding of the hands of the man who committed the crime.

Evidence bearing out Mr Collins’s statement was then called, and the prisoner was remanded until Monday, when counsel for the Prosecution called Walter Cairn, a wine-merchant’s assistant, who stated that he was a schoolfellow of the accused. In July, 1891, one Sunday morning, he was in the wood leading up to Hampton Rocks, with a reiend, when he saw Coombs and Wilkie pass up through the wood, walking towards Hampton Down. This wood is about half a mile from the spot where the deceased’s remains were discovered. Alfred Phillips, a friend of the previous witness, fixed the date of this occurrence as the last Sunday in July, 1891. They were sitting in a tree, and Wilkie nodded to witness as they passed. 

Evidence was then produced identifying the boots found in the cave as having been purchased by the deceased in July, 1891. Mr Collins stated that that was all the evidence the Crown were at present in a position to offer, and he suggested there might be a further remand. After Mr. Collins’s address, Mr Titley, for the accused, asked for the release of the prisoner. After the magistrates had deliberated, the chairman, Mr Murch, Mayor of Bath, said the present was a case of extreme gravity, and the crime being two years old, made it more necessary to entirely exculpate prisoner, and the Bench had decided to remand the accused in custody until Tuesday, the 17^th inst.

In connection with the mystery a remarkable statement has been made by a young man, whose name and address are known by the police. He states that when the accused was speaking with some other men about a sensational murder which was occupying general attention, Coombs remarked, “Oh, I have committed a murder, and it has never been found out.” Those present regarded the statement as a joke at the time, and paid no attention to it.