the sun at noon
While she and Mrs Tabby returned in the coach with the two maidservants , I waited on Mr Mead to the house of justice Buzzard , who , having heard his declaration , said his oath could be of no use at present , but that he would be a material evidence for the prisoner at his trial ; so that there seems to be no remedy but patience for poor Clinker ; and , indeed , the same virtue , or medicine , will be necessary for us all , the squire in particular , who had set his heart upon his excursion to the northward . While we were visiting honest Humphry in Clerkenwell prison , my uncle received a much more extraordinary visit at his own lodgings . Mr Martin , of whom I have made such honourable mention , desired permission to pay him his respects , and was admitted accordingly . He told him , that having observed him , at Mr Buzzard 's , a good deal disturbed by what had happened to his servant , he had come to assure him he had nothing to apprehend for Clinker 's life ; for , if it was possible that any jury could find him guilty upon such evidence , he , Martin himself , would produce in court a person , whose deposition would bring him off clear as the sun at noon . -- Sure , the fellow would not be so romantic as to take the robbery upon himself ! -- He said , the postilion was an infamous fellow , who had been a dabbler in the same profession , and saved his life at the Old Bailey by impeaching his companions ; that being now reduced to great poverty , he had made this desperate push , to swear away the life of an innocent man , in hopes of having the reward upon his conviction ; but that he would find himself miserably disappointed , for the justice and his myrmidons were determined to admit of no interloper in this branch of business ; and that he did not at all doubt but that they would find matter enough to shop the evidence himself before the next gaol-delivery . He affirmed , that all these circumstances were well known to the justice ; and that his severity to Clinker was no other than a hint to his master to make him a present in private , as an acknowledgment of his candour and humanity .