The case reveals itself.
A charge of perjury by the prosecution and subornation of perjury on the part of the official in charge, being the military mandarin in charge at Yung Ki, and it is clear we submit utterly impossible to believe that he is unacquainted with the fact above stated.
As to the evidence of Tan Tean, we would eagerly draw his Excellency's attention to the fact that his story is most improbable on the face of it, his guardhouse being seven li from the spot of the supposed burglary and he having never visited the house.
Were the story told by the witnesses for the prosecution a true one, ample evidence could have been forthcoming to show that a proper report was made at the time to the Tepo, that the Tepo reported the matter to the Justices, that the Justices reported the matter to the civil mandarin at Hea Rong, and that if necessary it was reported to the official at Tai Leung.
But what do we find? No report of any sort or kind is made except by a farmer who does the sweeping out of an ancestral temple. He is not produced as a witness, but we are told that the high Chinese official at Tai Leung, on being shown the body of Shivan Shap, said: "Yes, killed by robbers. File your case," took no evidence of any sort or kind, and took no steps such as are customary.