By the way, can it be the phenomenon, disowned or at least concealed, that in
some criminal cases puzzles the courts? For this cause have our juries at times
not only to endure the prolonged contentions of lawyers with their fees, but
also the yet more perplexing strife of the medical experts with theirs?- But why
leave it to them? Why not subpoena as well the clerical proficients? Their
vocation bringing them into peculiar contact with so many human beings, and
sometimes in their least guarded hour, in interviews very much more confidential
than those of physician and patient; this would seem to qualify them to know
something about those intricacies involved in the question of moral
responsibility; whether in a given case, say, the crime proceeded from mania in
the brain or rabies of the heart. As to any differences among themselves these
clerical proficients might develop on the stand, these could hardly be greater
than the direct contradictions exchanged between the remunerated medical
experts.
Dark sayings are these, some will say. But why? Is it because they somewhat
savor of Holy Writ in its phrase "mysteries of iniquity"? If they do, such savor
was far from being intended, for little will it commend these pages to many a
reader of to-day.
The point of the present story turning on the hidden nature of the
Master-at-arms has necessitated this chapter. With an added hint or two in
connection with the incident at the mess, the resumed narrative must be left to
vindicate, as it may, its own credibility.
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