This examinant saith that in harvest last was twelve month, at what time he wrought in harvest with Philip Loades of the same, clerk, and one Robert Mines and John Smyth were also then servants in harvest work with Philip Loades, it happened that about ten of the clock one night the said Mines desired one Mary Minns (then maid servant with Philip Loades) to give them a bottle of beer, Mary told Mines that she would let him drink what he would but she would not suffer him to carry any away. And soon after this examinant departed homeward, and (in a back lane to the house of Philip Loades, and which was the usual and nearest way for this examinant to return home) he this examinant suddenly espied one leap over the wall of the yard of Philip Loades, and he that so leaped over (not being known at first to this examinant) called out to this examinant thus, Who is there? Will. Whereat this examinant said, I, and this examinant discovered him to be Mines, which said Mines said further to this examinant (with a low, soft and fearful voice), Will, I have gotten a bottle of beer if thou will do so much as carry it. But Mines had no bottle that this examinant saw or espied about him, but Mines hasted from this examinant and this examinant going close to him, he smelt hot bread and suddenly espied Mines to have a great brown loaf under his side, whereupon this examinant said to Mines, What thou hast stolen a loaf? Whereto Mines answered, I must needs confess I have done amiss, but it is the first, and it shall be the last. Then this examinant told Mines that he would presently go tell Ph: Loades, and Mines alleged to this examinant that his wife and children wanted bread, and that made him do as he did. And forthwith after this examinant went and discovered the same to Ph: Loades. The next morning being Sunday, this examinant and other the servants of Ph: Loades were speaking among themselves that they thought Mines would not come that day to breakfast as he used to do. And it so proved indeed that Mines came not to breakfast that day but also absented himself [added in margin: 'so also Jo: Smyth'], but that day he came to dinner and behaved himself in a dull, [still?], silent and suspicious manner who at other times used to be busy of tongue and speech and cheerfulness.
In harvest was twelve month at what time himself and one William Stead and one Robert Mines were all at the harvest work with Philip Loades of the parish of Ringstead St Peter, clerk, one night about ten of the clock this examinant and one James Hudson and the said Mines being departed from the house of Ph: Loades, and going to the house of one John Kerby, tailor, where they purposed to have made some stay, Mines told this examinant that he would go back and try if he could fetch a bottle of beer. So this examinant went on to Kirbye's house and finding him not at home he this examinant and Hudson stayed without in the street at the shop window of Kirby by the space of about three-quarters of an hour, during all which time Mines came not unto them; neither did he see him any more that night.