nt," said Charlie. "What a funny idea to wear such a dress."

"I think it's a very nice idea," Rex answered, quickly. "I assure you
the judges and the barristers look very imposing in their robes and
wigs."

"I expect to be a lawyer one of these days; wouldn't I astonish the
American public if I appeared in such a costume?" said Charlie,
laughing. "I wonder how I'd look in it?"

"Try it on and see," suggested Rex.

"Oh, do, do, Charlie! it'll be such fun!" pleaded Selwyn. So, nothing
loth, Charlie slipped on the long black silk robe, then Rex and Selwyn
arranged the thin white muslin bands at his throat, and settled the big
white wig on his head. His soft, dark hair was brushed well off his
face so that not a lock escaped from beneath the wig, and when he put
on a pair of Uncle Geof's spectacles, which lay conveniently near, the
boys were convulsed with laughter at his appearance.

"Good-day, your 'ludship,'" said Rex, with a mocking bow; "will your
'ludship' hold court to-day?"

"Yes, let's have court and try a prisoner," cried Charlie, who began to
feel rather proud of his unusual appearance. "You don't mind, do you,
Rex?"

"Why, no! I think it'll be no end of fun," was the merry reply. "One
of us could be the prisoner, and the other the barrister who defends
him. I'd better be the barrister, because I know more about English
law than Selwyn does. And the furniture'll have to be the other
counsel and the gentlemen of the jury. Sit over there, Charlie, near
that railing, and we'll make believe it's the bar. The only trouble is
the barrister will have no gown and wig. Isn't it a pity?"

"Let's take the table cover," suggested Selwyn, which was immediately
acted upon. With their combined efforts, amid much laughter, it was
draped about Rex's shoulders in a fashion very nearly approaching the
graceful style of a North American Indian's blanket. A Russian bath
towel, which they also found in the closet, was arranged on his head
for a wig; then Selwyn was placed behind a chair which was supposed to
be the prisoner's box, the judge took his place, and court opened.

The ceremony differed from any previously known in judicial experience,
and bursts of merry laughter disturbed the dignity of the learned judge
and counsel, to say nothing of the prisoner.

"The prisoner at the bar, your 'ludship,'" began the counsel, striving
to steady his voice, "has stolen a--a--a--what shall I say you have
stolen?"