ease the court," said Cleek, "I have evidence
here which will save this man's life. I demand to show it to the court."

The barristers, held in check by the stern practice of the English law,
which, unlike American practice does not allow counsel to becloud the
issue with objection and technical argument, remained motionless. They
knew Cleek, and knew that here was the crisis of the case they had
presented so learnedly.

"This is an unusual occurrence, sir," at last spoke the judge, "and you
are distinctly late. The jury has returned and the foreman is about to
pronounce the verdict. What is it you have to say, sir?"

"Your Lordship, it is simply this." Cleek threw back his head. "The
prisoner at bar--" He pointed to Merriton, who at the first sound of
Cleek's voice had spun round, a sudden hope finding birth in his dull
eyes, "is _innocent_! I have absolute proof. Also--" He switched round
upon his heel and surveyed the court room, "I beg of your Lordship that
you will immediately give orders for no person to leave this court. The
instigator of the crime is before my eyes. Perhaps you do not know me,
but I have been at work upon this case for some time, and am a colleague
of Mr. Narkom of Scotland Yard. My name is--Cleek--Hamilton Cleek. I
have your permission to continue?"

A murmur went up round the crowded court room. The judge nodded. He
needed no introduction to Cleek.

"The gentlemen of the jury will be seated," declared the court, "the
clerk will call Hamilton Cleek as a witness."

This formality accomplished, the judge indicated that he, himself, would
question this crucial eleventh-hour witness.

"Mr. Cleek," he began, "you say this man is innocent. We will hear your
story."

Cleek motioned to Dollops, who stood at the back of the court, and
instantly the lad pushed his way through the crowd to his master's side,
carrying the long, ungainly burden in his arms. Meanwhile, at the back of
the room a commotion had occurred. The magic name of that most magical of
men--Hamilton Cleek, detective--had wrought what Cleek had known it
would. Someone was pushing for the door with all the strength that was in
him, but already the key had turned, and Hammond, as guardian, held up
his hand.

Cleek knew--but for the time said nothing--and the crowd had hidden
whoever it was from the common view. He simply motioned Dollops to lay
his burden upon the table, and then spoke once more.

"M' Lud," he said clearly, "may