A VERY curious crime—well, that is to say, it was curious owing to the way in which it was brought home to the guilty person—was once committed at a lonely house a few miles outside the ancient city of York.
The house in question was in the possession of a Mr. John Wenlake, a young unmarried man, who, through his father, came into possession of this house, with something like four hundred acres of land surrounding it. Being very fond of a country life and agricultural pursuits, he settled down as a gentleman farmer, and devoted himself principally to rearing cattle and horses. His house, which was known as the “Priory,” was situated half a mile off the highroad between York and Newcastle. It was approached by a lane, which ended when it reached the grounds belonging to the house; but ther
