The Court met this morning at 10 oclock - the Lord Justice-Clerk, and Lord Deas on the bench. The first case called was

James Crichton, now or lately prisoner in the prion of Perth, was charged with the crime of murder, in so far as on the 30th day of March, 1866., within or near the farm-house or premises situated at Mount Stewart, in the parish of Forgandenny, and shire of Perth, then occupied by William Henderson, farmer, there, he did, wickedly and feloniously, attack and assault Janet Henderson or Rogers, now deceased, wide of James Rogers, labourer, now or lately residing at or near Airntully, in the parish of Kinclaven, and shire aforesaid, and did with an axe, or other instrument, strike her several or one or more severe blows on or near the head, whereby her skull was fractured; by all which, or part thereof, the said Janet Henderson or Rogers was mortally injured, and in consequence thereof immediately or soon thereafter died, and was thus murdered by him.

The following inventory of articles was referred to in the indictment:- Label, No.1, a woollen or other cap; 2, a woollen or other cap; 3, a wincey or other polka; 4, a gown, a cotton or other shift, a flannel or other shift; 5, a wincey or other petticoat, a woollen or other petticoat, two flannel or other petticoats; 6, two tartan shawls, a pocket or pouch; 7, a pair of stays, an apron, a pair of stocking legs, a pair of stockings, two garters; 8, a pair of boots; 9, a tin or other metal snuff-box, containing snuff; 10, a carpet bed-cover; 11, a double blanket; 12, a single blanket; 13, a single blanket; 14, a linen or other sheet; 15, a linen or other sheet; 16, a bolster, a bolster slip; 17, a pair of boots; 18, a broken pair of tongs; 19, an axe; 20, a paper bag with printing thereon, commencing with the words From John Taylors, or similarly commencing; 21, a paper bag with printing thereon, commencing with the words Stanley Provision Company, or similarly commencing; 22, a paper swivel or packet containing snuff; 23, a tin or other metal box, containing a quantity of snuff; 24, a broken pair of scissors; 26 (sic), a key; 27, seven or thereby pieces of a broken tobacco pipe, a tin or other metal pipe or cover; 28, a tobacco pipe; 29, a tobacco pipe; 30, a tin or other box, containing a quantity of tobacco; 31, a piece of a boiled egg; and 32, two pieces of egg shell.

The prisoner, who seemed quite self-possessed, pleaded not guilty.

The prosecution was conducted by the Advocate-Depute, and Mr Charles Scott appeared as counsel for the prisoner, instructed by Mr Henry Whyte, Perth, agent in the case.

The following evidence was led:-

William Henderson, farmer, was the first witness examined, and deponed - On the 30th of March last year I was afarmer at Mount Stewart. I had been in the farm 22 years. I left it at Martinmas last. Peter Stewart is now the tenant on the farm. In the month of March, 1866, I and my sister were living in the house at Mount Stewart. My sisters name was Janet Henderson, wife of James Rodger, labourer, Airntully, in the parish of Kinclaven, and shire of Perth. There was no servant in the house at that date. The name of the last servant was Christina Miller. We only kept one female servant at a time. I had only one servant in the month of March. Christina Miller left my house on the previous Thursday - a week before my sister was killed. She had been about a fortnight in my service. On the Monday of the week before my sister was killed I went to Airntully to get one of my sisters daughters to keep the house. I could not get her, and my sister agreed to come herself, which she did on the Wednesday. When I had a servant she slept in the kitchen. There are eight apartments in Mount Stewart house. The bed in which the servant slept is a box bed on the left side of the fireplace. My sister ocupied a bedroom upstairs. On the Friday on which my sister was killed I left home at half past ten oclock. I had my horse and cart with me. I was going to Perth. I breakfasted with my sister in the kitchen that morning just before I left. She was then in good health. The last concversation I had with her was about buying whiting, and bringing it home with the cart. I came to Perth, and left my horse and cart at the Logiealmond Tavern in Methven Street. I bought a pig also that day at a public sale. On my way home I bought the whiting. I made several other purchases. I got to Bridge of Earn on my way home between six and seven oclock. I know James Crichton, the prisoner. He was in my service as ploughman at the time. He was the only male servant I had then. When I got home I saw Crichton. He was in the stable among the horses. I called on him to unloose the cart. I took the horse out of the cart. After locking the barn door, he took the key and hung it on the stable key, which was in the door. I am not aware he had previosuly gone to the house with the barn key. After he hung up the key he went away without saying anything. I did not hear Crichton at the kitchen door after the harness was off. I locked the stable door, and took both keys in my hand, and went towards the kitchen door, and tried to open it. I found it locked. I rapped at the doortwo or three times. There was no key in the lock. This was the door I usually used. I got no answer to my knocks, and then I called out my sisters name two or three times. I still received no answer. Crichton lived at a house about 300 or 400 yards from the farmhouse. I went to his house, and saw Crichton there. He was taking a chair, going to sit down. I asked him if he had seen my sister, and if he knew what had become of her. He said he had not seen her since the forenoon. I asked if he had seen any person about the house, or anyone who had taken her away. He said no. I thought perhaps she would be unwell, and had gone to bed. So I went away to look after her. I went back alone, and climbed the fence in front of the house, intending to go in at the front door. I got a ladder, and tried to look in at the window facing the garden; but the blinds being down I could see nothing. I went to the front door and rapped there two or three times, but there was no answer. I again called her name aloud the same as I had done at the kitchen door, but got no answer. I did not knw what to do next. I got a ladder and went up and looked into her bedroom. I called her name there, and got no answer. I went in by the window, and found the bed empty. I then went downstaris and to my own bedroom, and found everything there dark. I went to the back of the kitchen-door to see if the key was inside, but I found no key. I understood then that she must have gone out somewhere. I then went to the inner kitchen-door, and I saw a heap of bed-clothes there lying in the middle of the floor. I again called her name there two or three times, but got no answer. I then lifted the clothes, and saw one of her arms and her head. I felt her pulse, and found that she had been dead for a long time. I got out by the front-door, which was locked inside. I then went down to James Barlas house, a mason. I told him what I saw, and his wife and he came back along with me to my house. Nobody else came along with them. James Barlas and I went into the house, and Mrs Barlas remained outside. We found my sister lying in a pool of blood. I wanted to take the clothes off her, but James Barlas said it would be better not to disturb the body; so we both came out again. I then wanted him to go along with me to Bridge of Earn for the constable, but his wife was afriad to stay by herself. I then went myself to Dr Laing at Bridge of Earn, but he was not at home; but I waited till he came home. I also got a police-constable, who came along with me. Dr Laing and I went in together, and looked through the room, and looked at the body. We saw an axe there. The doctor saw it first. (Identified axe.) After Dr Laing examined the body, he said she was quite dead. We then went and looked at the rest of the house.. We found that it had been wholly ransacked. I went to my own bedroom, and found a chest there had been ransacked also. There was a pocket-book containing a one pound-note taken out of the chest. There were also two shillings or more of copper amissing. I kept these to pay Crichtons boy, who assisted at the thrashing. I did not miss any more at that time till Thursday, when I dressed for the funeral, when I missed a vest. I had on that vest the previous Sunday. I also missed a pair of trousers and a cloth cap. That was all I missed from the chest after my sisters death. In this room there was a chest of drawers with a press on the top of it. I dont know exactly what was in it. An attempt had been made to open some small drawers in the press. There was an old silver watch in that press, but it had not been taken. The police came the same night. In the month of July following I found the key of the back door in a small cess pool behind the house, near the kitchen door. This was on the 21st of Kuly. (Identified key.) On the 30th March Crichton was engaged ploughing in the field. I told him I was going to Perth that morning. When I engaged him I asked him whether he smoked. He said he did. I told him I did not want smoking about the town, as it was dangerous, for there might be fires in consequence. He said he would not smoke about the town, and that he would take care when he did smoke. On the day of the murder, Crichton was dressed just in his usual clothes. I saw nothing peculiar in his dress. It was just the same as he generally wore. When the constable arrived Crichton had clean clothes on. I did not observe them before that. When I came back that night I saw a reticule-bag and some paper parcles in the kitchen. They were not there when I left in the morning. I dont mind seeing them. They might have been in the kitchen, but they were not on the table, as the breakfast things were on the table when I left. I never saw my sister smoking. A day or two after the Friday, I gave Crichton a poundnote, as part of his wages.. This was a few days after the murder. He had got a pound previously. This was on the 1st day of Feb. I dont exactly remember the day I gave him the second pound. I think I gave it to him in silver. Christina Miller left my service on the Thursday week before the murder. I saw her again on the Sunday night after my sister was killed. She had had taken away her chest that day she left. Crichton assisted her. When Christina Miller came on Sunday, I was in the kitchen the most of the time. When she was in the kitchen with my niece, I spoke to her. I asked her why she was there, and what she wanted? She did not say anything, but just went out. Mount Stewart is between 5 and 6 miles from Perth by the road.

Cross-examined by Mr SCOTT - Crichton came to my service in the autumn of 1865. When he came I had a servant named Jane Thomson. I dont recollect how many I have had between that and Christina Miller. Four or five. There were some intervals when I had none. During that time Crichtons wife served in my house. When I engaged Crichton Jane Thomson she was in the family way, and could not remain. Crichtons wife came about the house after that, going home in the evening. The last Friday in January when I came home from Perth there was one of the windows broken into, and some money taken out of a chest, besides a silver watch and some other articles. Crichtons wife was the only female servant about the town that day. The day before Miller left she went to Perth. She was away all night upon the Wednesday, but returned on the Thursday, and on that day she went away altogether. I slept in the house that night. I heard a noise of somebody rapping at the door that night. I did not get up. I dont know whether there was a man in the stable all night. I did not see a man. The first time I saw Miller the next day was at the stable-door. When I left on the Friday morning Crichton was ploughing in a field 200 or 300 yards to the west of the farm. There were some stobs lying scattered about in the field in the way of the ploughing, and I told Crichton he could cart them in during the day, as it would not take him long. I believe he did that. Miller gave me some insolent language, and this was the way I tuened her away. I said she might go away. It was because her and Crichton got so very intimate that I turned her away. If I had said anything to her, he would have told me I was telling a lie, and at one time threatened to strike me. I was not on bad terms with Crichton. She had been in the byre all the Wednesday night before she left me, and it was in the byre where I found her when I went out in the morning. It was because I spoke to her that Crichton threatened to strike me. I desired Crichton to go and tell her to come out, as I wanted her to leave. He would not do that, but threatened and offered to fight with me. That is the chief reason why I turned Miller off. My other reason was trifling with the person that kept the register. She came to my house and got tea, and there was a good deal of talk always going on. Miller hinted to me that I should make her the mistress of the house, and I did not like thta kind of talk. At least she hinted as much. She said I would be the better of a wife, and she would do her best. She never tried to get into my bed, nor I into hers. After Crichton and her got chief, she would not let me into the kitchen. I think it was before twelve o clock that night I was disturbed by the knocks. I never saw my sister take snuff.

By the COURT - Thursday, the day before, as far as I can recollect, was a fine day. It was the Fast-day.

By a JURYMAN - Crichton was in the practice of taking the keys of the stable to the kitchen. He did not take the keys that night. I suppose because I was taking the harness off the horse, and he was behind his usual hours. It was always his practice to take the keys to the house. I dont know why he did not do it that night. He just left without taking them.

Another JURYMAN - It was not the practice for Crichton to change his clothes after he was done with his work. Miller returned the Sunday after the murder, and not the first Sunday after she left.

By the COURT - Between the time Crichton locked the barn-door and the time he hung the key on the key of the stable-door, had he time to go to the kitchen-door, and come back again? The distance, my Lord, is very short, but I cant say whether he had. When did Crichton leave yur service? At Whitsunday, 1866.

James Rogers, Airntully - The deceased, Janet Henderson, was my wife. She left my house on 28th March, to go to Mount Stewart. She was to have remained sometime at Mount Stewart. I received information on my wifes death on the Saturday afternoon following. Before she left home on Wednesday afternoon I gave her a onepound-note. I went to Mount Stewart that Saturday I received notice of my wifes death. She had taken some clothes with her. I got possession of part of these, and the police kept part of these. I searched the pocket of her dress, which I found hanging upon the bedstead. I found a purse and a handkerchief in that pocket. The purse was quite empty. She usually kept her money in that purse. Besides the dress I searched she had only taken one other dress with her. She was wearing the other one at the time of her death. On MOnday, 2d April, I had a conversation with the prisoner Crichton at Mount Stewart. I said to him that it was a serious affair that had happened, and he said it was. I said my mind was considerably relieved when I found that there was no appearance of Mr Henderson having been concerned in the murder. I heard that he was suspected, but after I got there I was quite convinced in my mind that he was innocent. Crichton said he did not know that. He thought he had committed the murder. I said I thought it was quite impossible, and asked him if he did not see any one talking to my wife during the day. He said he did. I asked him then what time it was, and he said about eleven o clock. That is Friday forenoon. I told him that that was an hour after his master left for Perth. Mr Henderson told me himself that he had left at ten. Crichton said it would be just an hour. Then I told him I thought it impossible that he could commit the deed after he arrived from Perth, between the time he arrived and the gave the alarm. He said he was a good long while in coming to him, and that he thought he had time to commit the murder. Thinking he would continue persisting in this opinion I let the conversation drop, and left him, and went down to the kitchen. I then called him down to the kitchen, and gave him a glass of spirits, and in a few minutes after that I left the house. The body of my wife was taken to my house. My wife did not smoke that I knew of.

Cross examined by Mr SCOTT - I could not exactly say my wife had on a veil when she left my house, but she was in the habit of wearing one. I did not known my wife took snuff. I had heard a report that Mr Henderson had committed the murder.

By the COURT - I heard the report from a travelling man who came about the district; but I dont know who he was, or how that report originated.

Ann Rogers, daughter of the former witness - I remember my mother going to Mount Stewart. She took a pound with her, but did not say for what. She intended changing it on her way home. She intended changing it on her way home. She said she intended buying a border for her bonnet., and some snuff. She took snuff for a sore nostril. I did not know of my mother smoking. She bought her things for the house in Stanley store.

James Barlas, mason, Alley Bank - I lived beside the prisoner Crichton in March, 1866. I remember the day of the murder. I left my house that morning between five and six o clock, and did not return until the evening. I was at my work at Moncrieffe Tunnel. I returned home at a quarter before seven o clock. I heard Mr Hendersons cart come up about a quarter-of-an-hour after I came home. Sometime after that he he came back to me. It would be about a quarter before eight o clock. He told me his sister was eithere dead or murdered. I observed no blood upon him. I noticed he was a little excited. But there was nothing else peculair about him that I saw. I went to Mount Stewart with him. He asked me to go. My wife followed. She did not go into the house, but I went. I there saw the dead body of a woman lying on the kitchen floor. There was a pool of blood below her head. She was covered up with bed-clothes, with the exception of her left arm, which was stretched out from the body. Henderson lifted some of the bed-clothes off the face. He said That speaks for itself. We then left left the body as it was., and went to the parlour. He lifted a bunch of keys that were lying on the table, and said these were the keys of his house. We then went to his bedroom, and there saw that a chest had been forced open. After this, Henderson and I left the house. I called in Crichton that night. I saw he was a little excited. After we came out from Mount Stewart, Henderson went for Dr Laing, to Bridge of Earn. When I went back to Mount Stewart, Dr Laing was there. On the day of the murder, the first time I saw Crichton, as far as I remember at present, was when Henderson came down for me at night. His dress had a white-like appearance. The next day I saw a pair of Crichtons trousers bleaching. I had no doubt of them being his. They were bleaching on the green before his house. This was sometime in the afternoon. I have seen Crichton smoking, principally at his meals. I cannot say that I saw him smoke at his own house. I remember to have seen him smoke once or twice the time he was in Hendersons service. The Thursday before the murder was a dry day. When we found the dead body, the blankets were sticking on the face. Friday is the usual market-day. Henderson usually came back any time betwixt the hours of 6 and 9 oclock.

Cross-examined by Mr SCOTT - I never saw Crichton smoke during his work hours. When I went up to Mount Stewart the first time I saw Crichton. He was standing near the garden gate. He went away down to his own house. After that he went to Forgandenny for a constable. I saw him go away. I saw him return with the constable. When I went to Mount Stewart the second time, I am almost postive Crichton was with me. He was in the house when I was there. I saw him in the parlour. This was the second time I went to the house. I think he went up along with me. I am not positive whether he went into the house at the time I went, as we waited some time outside before we went in. I think in the course of the evening I also saw him in the kitchen. He either went up along with me, or at no great distance. I left Mount Stewart house between 7 and 8 o clock on Saturday morning. Crichton remained the whole night at Mount Stewart along with me, with the exception of some short time when he was away for a candle. Dr Laing and Mr Young were in the house all that night. There were also the Forgandenny constable and Bridge of Earn constable. I do not remember if there was any smoking in the house that night.

Dr Laing, Bridge of Earn - I was in Edinburgh on Friday the 30th March, and returned home by train, arriving about 9 o clock. I found Henderson was waiting on me at the station. He told me his sister had been murdered, and wanted me to accompany him to Mount Stewart. He went walking, and I overtook him on the way, and we entered the house at 10 minutes before tea. When we arrived there was no one in the house. We went in by the kitchen. When the kitchen door was opened, I saw the corpse lying with the head twoards the door - the left arm extended. All but the arms and face were covered over. I went cautiously into the apartment; felt the arm, and found it pulseless. Looked at the face, and lifted up a ribbon which was a little in my way, and found on the cheek a wound large enough to account for death. Then I went no further. I felt that the arms and face were cold, but not rigid. I took a general look over the apartment, but that was I did to the body. I saw a pool of blood on the floor, and the bed-lids partly opened. I saw an axe in the corner of the room, with the handle leaning against the wall. I saw blood upon the axe. I handled it without displacing or altering its position, and I felt the blood was moist on the blade of the axe. I stepped over the body, carefully avoiding the blood, and looked at a basket on the table containing some things. Superintendent McDonald arrived, as far as I recollect, about half-past twelve. Everything was then examined. The only further examination at that time of the body was regarding the heat of the body. About 25 minutes past one we examined it thoroughly, and thought it to be quite warm. We looked over the room after McDonald came. Dr Absolon reached Mount Stewart between four and five the same morning. We made a post-mortem examination that forenoon. We could not do it sooner, as he came without a warrant from the Sheriff. Dr Laing here read the result of the post-mortem examination, which was as follows:

We, the undersigned, do hereby certify on soul and conscience, that, by virtue of a warrant granted by Hugh Barclay, Esquire, Sheriff-Substitute of Perthshire, we, this day, within the Farm House of Mount Stewart, in the Paris of Forgandenny, and County of Perth, examined the dead body of Janet Henderson or Rogers, aged fifty or thereby.

Externally, on examination, we found the face and head besmeared with blood, with ecchymosis of the left eye and temple. On the extended ear, on the right side, there was a contused wound of irregular shape, which divided the cartilages, and immediately behind the ear another contused wound an inch in length, which penetrated to the temporal bone. On removing the hair, which was matted with coagula, seven wounds wer found on the upper part of the scalp; one in the very centre of the head, five inches in length, stretching in the antero-posterior direction. An inch and a half to the left of this wound were another two running parallel to it, one three inches and the other one inch in length. On the right side of the central wound, opposite its middle, at the distance of one and a half inches, and also parallel to it, another one inch and a half in length; and at the posterior extremity of the same central wound, and passing it in a line transversely across the right side of the scalp, three smaller wounds, only separated from one another by slight bands of internements. These wounds were all filled with coagulated blood,and the scalp was separated to a considerable extent from the skull.

On removing the scalp a fracture was observed passing transversely across the anterior portions of the parletal bones; there was also sangtaneous infeltration of the cellular tissue in the form of large irregular patches all over the head. Ont he right temple and right side of the occiput there were severe contusions of the scalp, with laceration of the soft parts underneath.

On removing the skull cap and the membranes of the brain, a large quantity of extravasated blood was found on the surface,a nd filling up the spaces between the convolutions of the brain. On lifting up the exterior portion of the brain a tumour the size of a hazelnut was found embedded in its substance, as if in a mould, and adherent to the dura mater, at a point corresponding with the outer extremity of the lesser wing of the spehoid bone. On removing the brain the porous portion of the of the right temporal bone was found fractured and driven in; the fracture extending across the base of the skull, and joining that already described as passing through the parietal bones, completed the cuircumference of the cranium.

The brain was healthy.

The lungs and heart were also in a healthy condition, and the latter organ was entirely empty. The stomach, liver, kidneys, large and small intestines, presented a healthy appearance. The gall bladder was distended, and contained twenty eight gallstones, varying in size from a barley pickle to that of an ordinary sized marble.

We are of opinion that death was caused by the injuries above decribed.

That is a true report. The injuries described in the the report are, I think, such as would have been caused by the axe. From the injuries described death would be instantaneous. From the state of the body, it occurred to me that it must have been about the middle of the afternoon when the deed was committed. I cant positively say an hour, but any time between dinner and tea. I would say about three o clock. I dont think it could have been committed so late as seven oclock. I saw Crichton during the course of that night. I thought him to be unnaturally quiet. It struck me he was not at all interested in the conversation that was going on. The next day, at the request of the authorities, Dr Absolon and I made an examination of the clothes worn by Henderson and the prisoner. Hendersons outer and inner clothing seemed to be only remarkable for having been worn for a considerable time. I saw no marks of blood of any description upon them. Crichtons clothes were examined immediately after Hendersons, and we obderved the very opposite in his - all his clothing, in and out, being clean. I thought they looked as if they had never been worked in. I saw no trace of blood upon Crichtons clothes. I observed some blood on the four walls of the kitchen. From the blood on the walls, the person who killed Janet Henderson could not possibly have avoided having blood on his clothing.

(The witness here identified the axe as the one he saw in the kitchen.)

Cross examined by Mr SCOTT - I had not seen Crichton before that night. He was there at Mount Stewart house all night.

By a JURYMAN - There was a trace of food on the stomach. I cant say positively what it was - whether it was dinner, or what it was.

By the COURT - When my attention is called to this, I cannot say anything about it. All I saw was a pulpy mass in process of digestion, but we made no further examination. I could not form any opinion whether digestion had long begun. I saw nothing to account for death except the injuries on the head. I have no doubt whatever that these injuries were the cause of death. I am satisfied in my own mind that death could not have occurred after six o clock in the evening.

By the ADVOCATE-DEPUTE - The clothes examined by us were the same clothes worn by Henderson and Crichton, the prisoner and Henderson beng both under arrest that night.

Dr Absolon, Perth, generally corroborated the former witnesss statements. Hendersons clothes were all perfectly clean, but apparently had been worn for some time. There were no marks of blood upon them. The body must have been ten or twelve hours dead before he saw it. He arrived there between five and six in the morning. He could not say to the hour.

Superintendent McDonald, Perth - I got information of a murder at Mount Stewart on Friday, 30th March, 1866. I arrived at Mount Stewart about 20 minutes before one o clock.on Saturday morning. I had a conversation outside with Dr Laing before I entered the house. I went into the kitchen, and there found a dead body extended over the floor, covered with blankets. On examining the kitchen, I found an axe covered with blood, and a large pool of blood about the head of the dead body. On the fire there was a boiler containing about two quarts of water. The boiler would have held about double that quantity. The fire was not burning. There were the remains of a cooked egg at the back of the fire. On a table there was a paper containing about two ounces of snuff. There was also a long narrow paper bag on the table, marked with blood. There was a basket on the table containing a smaller bag, also marked with blood. Between the body and the bed there were a pair of womans boots marked with blood.Under the bolster there was a tobacco-pipe and a tin lid for the same. The pipe was in seven pieces. (Identified the pieces of pipe and the tin cover.) There were some egg-shells on the corner of the dresser. Saw a chest in the bedroom downstairs, which had been broken open. Several drawers in a chest of drawers had also been broken open, and in one drawer the point of a pair of scissors was sticking, and the broken scissors were found on the dresser. (Identified the scissors.) Saw no marks of blood except in the kitchen. On Saturday, 15th Dec, I, along with Constable Cameron, apprehended the prisoner near Dunfermline. Charged him with the murder, and he said - Well, well. On searching the priosner, found a gold watch, a small bunch of keys, a pipe, a box containing tobacco, and twopence in coppers. While at Mount Stewart on the night of the murder I gave instructions that the prisoner and Henderson should be looked after.

By Mr SCOTT - When I first went to Mount Stewart House there was only a candle burning. The prioner was there, and he went to his own house for a lamp. He carried in coals during the night. He did not appear to be agitated. There was nothing suspicious in his conduct. Only he considered that Henderson and he were the only perosns who had the chance to commit the crime. On the way to Perth from Dunfermline Cameron took a smoke, and the prisoner took a few draws.

Lord DEAS - Did the policeman smoke in a railway carriage? (Laughter.)

By Mr SCOTT - The prisoner spoke a good deal on his way to Perth. He named the stations and gave a description of the district. There were bills issued offering a reward for the apprehension of the murder. Some of these bills gave a description of a man said to have been seen about the place.

George Gordon, Chief Constable of Perthshire - I arrived at Mount Stewart on the morning of 31st March. Made a search along with Superintendent McDonald. There was no money found. He corroborated Mr McDonald as to the finding of the pipe, &c., and as to the state of the premises.

Alex. Cumming, police constable, went to Mount Stewart on the evening of the murder, a little after ten o clock. Went in consequence of information given by Henderson. On 21st July, 1866, Henderson gave me the key of the back-door of the house. He said he got it in a sink at the kitchen-door the same day. Henderson did not give me a lock which had been taken off the door. (Identified key.)

Jean Hally, wife of James Barlas, remembered Friday, 30th March. When she came down from Mount Stewart she saw Crichtons wife had been washing. She thought they were like mens clothes. The next day she saw a jacket and vest drying on the hedge behind the house, and a pair of mens trousers on the green. Was in Mrs Crichtons house on the Friday forenoon before I went to Perth. Mrs Crichton was not washing then, nor did I see any signs of washing. I remember Christina Miller coming to stay at Crichtons. I did not see her till the Monday after the murder. She left Crichtons the Saturday following. Christina Miller asked with me that day for the change of a pound-note, but I could not give it to her.

Cross-examined by Mr SCOTT - The day before she went to Perth was a Fast Day for the Cattle Plague. I saw Crichton going away to the church. He had on dress clothes. I dont remember seeing him that night again. I saw no other clothes than a jacket, vest and trousers bleaching. The trousers lay on the green till Monday. I dont know of Mrs Crichton having any set time for washing. On the Friday before I went to Perth there was a Mrs Reilly in my house. This was about eleven o clock. She left my house not long after eleven, and I did not see her again.

By the ADVOCATE-DEPUTE - Crichtons clothes, when I met him going to church, were a kind of grey colour. They were not moleskins.

Christina Miller, lately servant to Robert Smith, farmer at Taphead, and presently a prisoner in Perth prison - I was a servant at Mount Stewart in March, 1866, with Mr Henderson. I was the only servant in the house. I dont remember when I went there. I left about a week or more before the murder. When I left on Thursday I went home. I left Mount Stewart about twelve o clock noon on that day. I took my chest out of the farmhouse, and left it at Crichtons. I did so before twelve o clock noon. I then went to my mothers at Blackford. I walked there, and I arrived at my mothers house about ten o clock. I cannot say how far it is from Mount Stewart. I left my mothers the Saturday week following. I went to the ministers of Aberdalgie, and remained there all night. I went to Crichtons house on the Sunday night. I got there between 6 and 7. I was told of the murder on the Saturday night at Aberdalgie Manse. This was the first I heard of it. Crichton told me about the murder also. I met him on the road that turns up to Mount Stewart before I got to his house. Crichton said it was a sad business this murder that had been committed since I left. He said it was the master that had done it. He had been a long time ere he came to his house after aftre he got home, and he thought he had done it in that time, before he came down to him. He did not say anything else at that time. I remarked that it was just as like the master to do it as any other person. I stayed in Crichtons till the next Friday. There are two beds in the kitchen in Crichtons house. Crichtons wife and I slept inone of them. Crichton and one of his boys slept in the other. His name is James, and is the second oldest. He was the oldest of the two boys at home. I heard Crichton and his wife speaking about the murder. I used to go to bed before Crichton and his wife. The first night I heard them talk of the murder was on Wednesday night. I could not say how long I had been in bed that night before I heard them talk about it. I had been sometime in bed. On the Wednesday night he said if it was found out that he was the murderer he would be hanged for it. That was all he said, and his wife said in reply, What will become of me and the family if you are hanged for it. He said nothing to that that I heard. I heard nothing more that night. The next night I was again in bed first. They were both sitting at the fire. That night he again said if it were known that he had committed the murder he would be hanged for it, and his wife again said what would become of the family and her , as they would not get lived with the people. I heard nothing more that night. Crichtons wife told him to take care of his words before me, in case I should pick up any of his words. This was on the Thursday night. Crichton replied that he would take care of what he said. I never told this till the Procurator-Fiscal came to me. That is more than three months since. When I was in service at Hendersons I have seen Crichton smoking. I remember of taking his pipe one day to get a smoke. I asked him if he would give it to me, and he did so. It looked as if it had been smoked for some time. I cannot say when I got the pipe. It was a common clay pipe, with a white iron top. (Shown pipe.) I cannot say that that is the pipe, but it had a top the very same as that. The pipe was rather darker in the colour, I thought. I could not say positively that is the top of the pipe. When I got the smoke from Crichton the shank of his pipe was broken. I got this smoke from him at the steading. This was before the murder. I gave him back the pipe. I am quite sure of that. On the Sunday after the murder, when I came back to Crichtons I saw him smoking. He was not smoking the same pipe. It was a new one he had. There was a top on the pipe too, but it was not so old-looking as the top I saw before. It was not the same as was on the pipe I smoked. It was newer. After that I got the loan of four shillings from them. That was on the Saturday I left. I left my chest there. It had been there ever since I left Mount Stewart. I left my chest with them until I could get another place, when I would return and pay them the four shillings, and get my chest away. When Mrs Crichton gave me the four shillings she had no more white money, but she had some pounds in her hand, but I dont know how much. They were in a purse, and I dont know how many there were, but I am sure there was more than one. When I returned to Crichtons I saw no coloured pipes in his house.

Cross-examined by Mr SCOTT - I got Hendersons place in a register office. I went to Perth on Wednesday to Mrs Lockersies, to see if I could get more quietness to do my work. I got back that night at ten o clock. I cannot exactly say when I left Perth. It was almost dark in the evening. I met a man I knew on the road coming home. He was an Irish chield. I met him just as I was turning the road out to the Edinburgh Road. He and I went to Mount Stewart together. He just accompanied me there because it was dark. We did nothing after we went there. I went to the door to see if I could get in, and he waited; but the door was locked. I knocked at the door, but got no answer. Because Henderson would not let me in, I went to the byre to sleep till morning. The chield went into the inside of the door. He did not sleep there. He went away back to Perth. I cannot say when he went away. It was a good while before six o clock in the morning. He did not stand at the door all night, because he was not all night with me. He did not stand all the time he was there. I dont remember his name just now. I told the agent for the prisoner his name before. Was the name Higgin? Yes, his last name was Higgin. The last time I heard of him he was in Edinburgh. I dont know where he is now. It will be about three weeks ago since I told that gentleman the mans name. I saw Henderson that day I left Mount Stewart. I went to the foremans house in the morning, and remained there till prisoner came and told me that Henderson wanted me. I left Hendersons because I could not get any meat, and he was always wanting into me after I was in my bed. I locked Henderson into one of his rooms once for a great part of the day. I took up the tongs to him once or twice. Wednesday night and Thursday night were the principal nights on which I heard Crichton talk about the murder. I heard them talk about it a little on Tuesday. He said that night that he hoped it would not be known that he had done it. This was after I was in bed. The boys were always in their beds first - James with his father, and the young boy with his mother and I. I cannot say how long James was in bed before me on Tuesday night, and all the time I was there. The first place I went to after leaving Hendersons was to Mr Scotts, Cargill. I never heard of the reward that was offered for the discovery of the murder. The first time I heard of it was when I was called on. I was then told if my words proved true, I would be rich; and I understood by this that a reward would be given. This was after I was examined. This was in the Fiscals office at Perth. I got a written summons to attend there. When I got the sumons I was in service with Mr Smith, Tophead. A policeman brought the summons to me. When I went to Perth I met a soldier named Smeaton. I slept with him for two nights, and never went back to my place. I told him what had been told to me in the Fiscals office that I was to be rich.

By a JURYMAN - For what purpose did ou go to Mount Stewart on the Sunday after the murder. I went back to the house that night because I thought I had left a shortgown there. I saw Henderson there. I went into the bed where I slept to look for my shortgown, but I did not get it.

John Sinclair, shepherd, Caltucher - Remembered the day on which Mrs Rogers was killed. Knew the farm at Dambouls. It adjoins Mount Stewart farm. Was looking after the sheep on the farm of Dambouls that day. Saw a man at the plough, but could not say whether it was Crichton or not. He would be about 300 or 400 yards off. I saw him ploughing there between 10 and 11. I never saw him again that day. He appeared to have on darkish clothes. I was back that night at the same place. Left there about twelve. It would be about five o clock at night when I came back there.

Cross-examined by Mr SCOTT - The man appeared to have on a jacket or something, but I cannot say what it was - whether it was cloth, or moleskin, or corduroy.

Jessie Hutton or McNeill, wife of John McNeill, farm-servant, Gallamuir, remembered the murder of Mrs Rodgers. Was at that time a farm-servant at Brixton Howe, a farm adjoining Mount Stewart. Was in thr backyard on that farm that day between half-past twelve and a quarter to one. Saw a man ploughing at Mount Stewart. I was far away - perhaps about 500 yards across a park. He was dressed in dark clothes.

Cross-examined by Mr SCOTT - He had on a jacket. His back was turned to me, and I only saw him a short time.

Archibald Harris, Pitkeathly - His father occupies the farm of Southfield. A field lies between it and Mount Stewart. He knows Crichton by sight. Saw a man ploughing in a field that day at Mount Stewart, between four and five o clock in the afternoon. He was dressed in light clothes. He remarked to his wife that Crichton was as white as a doo on the hillhead.

Cross-examined by Mr SCOTT - I might be a quarter of of a mile or so off, but I cannot say. There was a shower of rain that day, but very slight.

By the COURT - I would call it a good day.

Janet McNab, Old Monzie - I was in the employment of Henderson at Mount Stewart for about a month. I left about a month before Mrs Rodgers death. I know Crichton. He was a ploughman, and smoked, but was not a heavy smoker. I cannot say whether he carried a pipe.

John Robertson, grieve, East Dron - The priosner was in Mr Richardsons employment from Martinmas, 1864, to the same date, 1865. I was then grieve. He left then to go to Hendersons at Mount Stewart. During that time I saw him every day. He smoked and carried a pipe.

James Deas, grocer, Bridge of Earn, knew Crichton by sight. About a week after the death he purchase some tobacco from him. On the night of the murder Henderson called at his shop. He had a horse and cart with him. Bridge of Earn is about two miles from Mount Stewart.

Robert Dewar, son of Duncan Dewar, clothier and grocer, Bridge of Earn - Crichton had come to his fathers shop, and he had sold him tobacco. This was at the time he was at Mount Stewart.

Cross-examined - I have sold him tobacco two or three times. Each time half-an-ounce.

Ann Winton or Williamson - Crichton came to her shop on the night of the murder, between ten and eleven o clock. He came for candles. Had a conversation with him. He said it was an awful job that had happened to Mrs Rodgers. Asked if he saw no one speaking to her that day, and he said he saw a man speaking to her about 11 o clock. He took him to be the master - meaning Mr Henderson. She said that Henderson was past towards Perth by this time, and Crichton answered he was not so sure as to the time of day. She saw Henderson that morning; it would be nearer ten than eleven. Crichton had on white-washed clothes.

John Cameron, Parochial Board officer, Perth - I was on duty at Mount Stewart at the time of the murder. On the Wednesday after the murder I was there with the Procurator-Fiscal. I was standing outside the door, and Crichton joined me. He said to me he did not smoke. I came to Perth from Dunfermline with him, and while smoking in the carriage he asked a smoke from me, and I gave the pipe to him. I said that I thought he did not smoke. He said he took a smoke at times. He gave me back the pipe.

By Mr SCOTT - I took off Mr Henderson's body clothes. She had no ring on her finger. When bringing him to Perth he talked very little.

John Fraser, farm-servant, Balbeggie farm - Knew Crichton. On the Sunday after the murder he left the house to go to Mount Stewart. He went as far as prisoner's house. I met him, and he asked me to go to his house to have a smoke. Witness smoked his own pipe, and prisoner smoked his. Crichton's pipe, as far as he could judge, was a new pipe - a day or so old. The pipe prisoner was smoking had no top, so far as witness saw. Remembered two or three weeks after being engaged ploughing in a field next to Mount Stewart. Prisoner was ploughing in the next field. Asked from prisoner a light of his pipe, as he had forgot matches. Prisoner replied that he did not smoke, but would give him snuff. Did not say anything to that, although he thought it a little strange. A day or two after that he met prisoner in the field, and said something about the murder. Said that people were blaming him (the prisoner) for the murder, because Henderson had not time to do it. Prisoner replied-Time! Time! you b----r, he had time to commit six murders.

Cross-examined - Crichton said at that time he did not give a d--- what people said as long as he had a clear conscience. Have seen Crichton smoking in the field.

Alexander McCathie, blacksmith, Glenearn, was at Dron Church on Cattle Plague fast-day, the day before the murder.Prisoner was there. He walked home with him part of the way. The day was blowy, but dry. Crichton was dressed in dark clothes. They seemed to be his Sunday clothes.

Christian Gormack, Westmill - On the day of the murder her father left the house after three o'clock to go to look at a horse at back field of Dunbarney. Mount Stewart lies on the road to the place. My father would take about twenty minutes to go to Mount Stewart. He told her that he had seen Crichton that afternoon yoke his horses to the plough. He did not say what o'clock it was when he saw him. He was surprised at seeing Crichton go so late to his work. Her father had since died. It was in September last his death took place.

George Mearns, Inspector in the Perth City Force, had searched a cesspool at Mount Stewart House on the morning after the murder, in front of the kitchen-door. He searched it with a small spade, which he put to the bottom different times, but found no key there.

Cross-examined - I did not empty the cess-pool.