THE CASE OF
OSCAR SLATER
A. CONAN DOYLE
THE CASE OF
OSCAR SLATER
BY
ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE
AUTHOR OF “THE LOST WORLD,” “SHERLOCK HOLMES,”
“THE WHITE COMPANY,” ETC.
HODDER & STOUGHTON
NEW YORK
GEORGE H. DORAN COMPANY
Copyright, 1912
By George H. Doran Company
THE CASE OF OSCAR SLATER
THE CASE OF OSCAR
SLATER
IT is impossible to read and weigh the factsin connection with the conviction of OscarSlater in May, 1909, at the High Court inEdinburgh, without feeling deeply dissatisfiedwith the proceedings, and morally certain thatjustice was not done. Under the circumstancesof Scotch law I am not clear how farany remedy exists, but it will, in my opinion,be a serious scandal if the man be allowed uponsuch evidence to spend his life in a convictprison. The verdict which led to his condemnationto death, was given by a jury offifteen, who voted: Nine for “Guilty,” fivefor “Non-proven,” and one for “Not Guilty.”Under English law, this division of opinionwould naturally have given cause for a newtrial. In Scotland the man was condemnedto death, he was only reprieved two days beforehis execution, and he is now working[8]out a life sentence in Peterhead convict establishment.How far the verdict was a justone, the reader may judge for himself whenhe has perused a connected story of the case.
There lived in Glasgow in the year 1908, anold maiden lady named Miss Marion Gilchrist.She had lived for thirty years in the one flat,which was on the first floor in 15, Queen’sTerrace. The flat above hers was vacant, andthe only immediate neighbours were a familynamed Adams, living on the ground floor below,their house having a separate door whichwas close alongside the flat entrance. Theold lady had one servant, named HelenLambie, who was a girl twenty-one years ofage. This girl had been with Miss Gilchristfor three or four years. By all accounts MissGilchrist was a most estimable person, leadinga quiet and uneventful life. She was comfortablyoff, and she had one singular characteristicfor a lady of her age and surroundings,in that she had made a collection of jewelryof considerable value. These jewels, whichtook the form of brooches, rings, pendants,etc., were bought at different times, extending[9]over a considerable number of years, from areputable jeweller. I lay stress upon the fact,as some wild rumour was circulated at the timethat the old lady might herself be a criminalreceiver. Such an idea could not be entertained.She seldom wore her jewelry save insingle pieces, and as her life was a r