He was a
man of striking appearance, swarthy, black-moustached, nervous, and
virile, with a quietly confident manner. Taking a paper from his pocket
he read the following statement, which made the deepest impression upon
the crowded court:--

I would wish to say, in the first place, gentlemen of the jury, that,
owing to the generosity of my brother officers--for my own means are
limited--I might have been defended to-day by the first talent of the
Bar. The reason I have declined their assistance and have determined to
fight my own case is not that I have any confidence in my own abilities
or eloquence, but it is because I am convinced that a plain,
straightforward tale, coming direct from the man who has been the tragic
actor in this dreadful affair, will impress you more than any indirect
statement could do. If I had felt that I were guilty I should have asked
for help. Since, in my own heart, I believe that I am innocent, I am
pleading my own cause, feeling that my plain words of truth and reason
will have more weight with you than the most learned and eloquent
advocate. By the indulgence of the Court I have been permitted to put my
remarks upon paper, so that I may reproduce certain conversations and be
assured of saying neither more nor less than I mean.

It will be remembered that at the trial at the police-court two months
ago I refused to defend myself. This has been referred to to-day as a
proof of my guilt. I said that it would be some days before I could open
my mouth. This was taken at the time as a subterfuge. Well, the days
are over, and I am now able to make clear to you not only what took
place, but also why it was impossible for me to give any explanation. I
will tell you now exactly what I did and why it was that I did it. If
you, my fellow-countrymen, think that I did wrong, I will make no
complaint, but will suffer in silence any penalty which you may impose
upon me.

I am a soldier of fifteen years' standing, a captain in the Second
Breconshire Battalion. I have served in the South African Campaign and
was mentioned in despatches after the battle of Diamond Hill. When the
war broke out with Germany I was seconded from my regiment, and I was
appointed as adjutant to the First Scottish Scouts, newly raised. The
regiment was quartered at Radchurch, in Essex, where the men were placed
partly in huts and were partly billeted upon the inhabitants. All the
officers were billeted out, and