[1] On the afternoon of 27 June 1881, 64-year-old Isaac Frederick Gold, a retired bakery manager, was murdered on the express train going from London Bridge Station to his home in Brighton.

When the train arrived at Preston Park Station, Mapleton was observed getting out of the carriage in a distressed state and covered in blood.

[2] Giving a card which carried the name 'Arthur Lefroy', Mapleton complained that he had been attacked during the journey by two men, who had hit him on the head, knocking him out.

Constable Howland interviewed Mapleton for details of his alleged attackers before sending him to the County Hospital for treatment, where his wounds turned out to be quite superficial.

Suspicious that such slight wounds could cause so much blood, the examining doctor wanted to detain him, but Mapleton suddenly announced that he had an urgent appointment in London.

[2] During the journey, while walking through Balcombe tunnel, railway workers found the body of an elderly man, later identified as Isaac Gold.

However, having arrived at the boarding house in Wallington, Mapleton told Holmes that he wanted to change his clothes and persuaded him to wait outside.

The Daily Telegraph published the following description of Mapleton: "Age 22, middle height, very thin, sickly appearance, scratches on throat, wounds on head, probably clean shaved, low felt hat, black coat, teeth much discoloured ...

"[3]More importantly, however, The Daily Telegraph published an artist's impression of Mapleton created from a description provided by someone who knew him.

[2] In a meeting at London Bridge Station, detective officers questioned all the railway staff involved in the case.

The inquest lasted several days, during which Detective Sergeant Holmes and other officers involved in the case's preliminary stages were mauled in the witness box for inefficiency.

Mapleton was tried at Maidstone Assizes before Lord Chief Justice Coleridge, with Montagu Williams acting for his defence.

[2] It was revealed during his trial that at the time of the murder Mapleton had been desperately short of money and had gone to London Bridge with the intention of robbing a passenger.

[2] Incredibly vain, Mapleton had asked for permission to wear full evening dress in Court because he thought it would impress the jury.