May
2
Saved By An Almanack
Filed Under Law |
A man was being tried at the Old Bailey for highway robbery, and a witness swore that he saw his face distinctly, as it was a bright moonlight night. But the highwayman had a smart lawyer on his side, and he was saved by an almanack.
After making the witness swear that the night was a moonlight one, the lawyer produced an almanack, which said that there was no moon at all on that particular night. The almanack was handed to the bench, who, after consulting it, immediately acquitted the prisoner.
It was not until some time afterwards that it was discovered that the almanack had been specially prepared and printed for the occasion and that the witness was right after all! But it was too late then! The highwayman had escaped!
— The Schoolboy Cracksman, The Magnet #1213, May 16th, 1931