ut you must
respect this court."

"You 'll find that even a more difficult lesson to teach me, my Lord.
I can remember some eight-and-forty years of what is called the
administration of justice in Ireland. I am old enough to remember when
you hanged a priest who married a Protestant, and disbarred the lawyer
that defended him."

"Be silent, sir," said the judge, in a voice of command; and with
difficulty was Curtis induced to obey the admonition.

As the trial proceeded, it was remarked that Colonel Vereker was seen in
close communication with one of the Crown lawyers, who soon afterwards
begged to tender him as a witness for the prosecution. The proposal
itself and the object it contained were made the subject of a very
animated discussion; and although the testimony offered seemed of the
greatest importance, the court decided that it was of a kind which,
according to the strict rules of evidence, could not be received.

"Then you may rely upon it, gentlemen of the jury," cried Curtis, "it is
favorable to me."

"Let me assure you, sir, to the contrary," said the judge, mildly, "and
that it is with a jealous regard for your interest we have agreed not to
accept this evidence."

"And have you had no respect for poor Vereker, my Lord? He looks as if
he really would like to tell the truth for once in his life."

"If Colonel Vereker's evidence cannot be admitted upon this point, my
Lord," said the Crown lawyer, "there is yet another, in which it is
all-essential. He was one of those who stood beside Rutledge on the
balcony when the words were uttered which attracted his notice. The
tone of voice, and the manner in which they were uttered, made a deep
impression upon him, and he is fully persuaded that they were spoken by
the prisoner in the dock."

"Let us listen to him about that," said Curtis, who now bestowed a
more marked attention to the course of the proceeding. Vereker was
immediately sworn, and his examination began. He detailed with great
clearness the circumstances which preceded the fatal event, and the
nature of the conversation on the balcony, till he came to that part
where the interruption from the street took place. "There," he said, "I
cannot trust my memory as to the words employed by Rutledge, although I
am confident as to the phrase used in rejoinder, and equally certain as
to the voice of him who uttered it."

"You mean to say," said the judge, "that you have recognized that voice
as belongi