An admission or confession may be inferred from the conduct of the accused remaining silent when charged with a crime, or when statements are made by third persons in his presence affecting him, when the circumstances afford an opportunity to act or speak in reply to the charge. The natural inference is that silence amounts to confession.36 But the silence of the accused when thus confronted may be explained in such manner as would render it of little or no force.37

So the fact that the defendant disappeared or concealed himself, under some circumstances, may be regarded as a circumstance as tending to connect him with the offense charged.38