Caleb Williams

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1831 edition. Excerpt: ... never to inflict a wilful injury upon any thing that lives; I need not express my regret, when I find myself obliged to be the promulgator of a criminal charge. How gladly would I pass unnoticed the evil I have sustained; but I owe it to society to detect an offender, and prevent other, men from being imposed upon, as I have been, by an appearance of integrity." "It would be better," interrupted Mr. Forester, "to speak directly to the point. We ought not, though unwarily, by apologising for ourselves, to create at such a time a prejudice against an individual, against whom a criminal accusation will always be prejudice enough." "I strongly suspect," continued Mr. Falkland, "this young man, who has been peculiarly the object of my kindness, of having robbed me to a considerable amount." "What," replied Mr. Forester, "are the grounds of your suspicion?" "The first of them is the actual loss I have sustained, in notes, jewels, and plate. I have missed banknotes to the amount of nine hundred pounds, three gold repeaters of considerable value, a complete set of diamonds, the property of my late mother, and several other articles." "And why," continued my arbitrator, astonishment, grief, and a desire to retain his self-possession, strongly contending in his countenance and voice, "do you fix on this young man as the instrument of the depredation?" "I found him, on my coming home, upon the day when every thing was in disorder from the alarm of fire, in the very act of quitting the private apartment where these articles were deposited. He was confounded at seeing me, and hastened to withdraw as soon as he possibly could." "Did you say nothing to him;--take no notice of the confusion your sudden appearance produced?" "I asked what was his errand in that...