Causes Célèbres. done. He then confessed that both his mother and brother had tempted him, ever since he had been in his master's service, to steal for them; reminding him how poor they were, and that it was now in his power to relieve them by simply giving them notice when his master went to collect his rents, for they would then waylay and rob him. He further said that on the morning of the day his master went to Charringford, he went on an errand into the town, and in the street met with his brother, and that he then told him his master was going to collect the rents, and that if he waylaid him, he might obtain the money. He also said that when his mis tress sent him to seek his master, he met his brother at the gate. They then went on together a little way, when they parted, but soon after again met, and then went together until they came to a gate that led into Lady Campden's ground, called the "Conygree." Through this gate, to those who had a key to open it, was the nearest way to Mr. Harrison's house. Perceiving, as he thought, some one pass through the gate into the grounds, he concluded that it must be his master on his way home, for no one could enter the grounds without possess ing, as his master did, the key to open the gate. But it was then so dark that they could not distinguish anything with certainty. He then advised his brother to follow his master into the grounds, and rob him there, while he himself, to give him opportunity, would walk about the fields for a time. His brother consented to this, and followed his master into the grounds. After waiting for a time, he went to seek his brother in the Conygree. There he discovered his master lying on the ground; his brother being on him, and his mother standing by. On being asked by the justice whether his master was then dead, Perry replied that he was not, and that after he had reached him he heard his master cry, " Ah, rogues, will you kill me? " When he saw what they were doing, he asked them not to kill his master; but his brother only replied,
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"Peace, you fool!" and then proceeded to strangle his victim. After murdering him, his brother took a bag of money from his master's pocket and flung it to his mother. Then he and his brother carried the dead body into the garden that adjoined the ground. There they consulted what should be done with it. At length they agreed to throw it into the great sink behind Wallington's Mills that adjoined the garden. His mother and brother then directed him to go up to the court next to the house and listen if he could hear any one abroad, while they disposed of the body. He also said that after that he did not return to them, but went through the court-gate that leads to wards the town. There he met with John Pearce, with whom he went into the field, and afterwards returned with him to his master's gate. From thence he proceeded to the hen-roost, where he lay till twelve. He then went out, taking with him his master's hat, band, and comb, which he had stolen from the body and hidden there. After cutting them with his knife, he laid them down on the highway where they were afterwards found. In consequence of this confession, Perry's mother and brother were at once taken into custody on the charge of murdering his mas ter. The sink into which it was supposed that Mr. Harrison's dead body had been thrown was carefully searched, as well as all the ponds in the neighborhood, but nothing was discovered. It being supposed that the dead body might have been hidden in the ruins of Campden House, which had been burned during the civil wars, search was also made there, but with no result. When the mother and brother were con fronted with Perry, they denied all knowledge of the murder, and bitterly accused him of bearing false witness against them. Perry, however, still persisted in his accusation, stating that he was willing to die if he had not spoken the truth. When a piece of rope with a slip-knot at the end, which was found in his brother's pocket, was shown to him,
