gs generally slow, when a double event served
to rouse their flagging attention.

Mr Railsford entered the court as a spectator, and was accommodated
with a seat on the bench, beside the judge. At the same moment,
Barnworth, having ended his questions, Arthur Herapath, junior counsel
for the defence, rose to his feet, and said,--

"Now, Sir William Tomkins, Baronet, have the goodness to look at me and
answer a few questions. I would advise you to be careful."

The baronet replied by putting his tongue in his cheek, and giving a
pantomimic wave of his fist in the direction of the learned counsel.

"Now, Sir William Tomkins, Baronet, how old are you, my lad?"

"Find out," said Sir William hotly.

"That's what I mean to do. Answer me, sir, or I'll get the beak to run
you in for contempt of court."

"Come and do it," said the witness, red in the face.

Here the judge again interposed.

"The learned junior must confine himself to the case before us, or I
shall have to ask Mr Felgate to conduct the cross-examination."

"All serene, my lord," rejoined the learned junior, who was thoroughly
enjoying himself. "Of course, if your lordship think the question's not
important I won't press it against your lordship's desire. I'm obliged
to your lordship for your lordship's advice, and I'll pull your nose,
Dimsdale"--this was in a parenthesis--"if you don't shut up. Now, Sir
William Tomkins, Baronet, you say you saw the prisoner pulled out of the
sack?"

"I never said anything of the sort."

"My lord, I must ask your lordship to commit this man for perjury. He's
telling crackers."

"I think he said he saw the murdered man pulled out of the sack," said
the judge.

"That's what I said. How came you to say you didn't, eh, sir? Didn't I
tell you to be careful or you'd get your hair combed a way you don't
fancy? Now, what I want to know is, what's the width of the door of the
cellar?"

"Look here," said the witness, "if you want to make an ass of yourself
you'd better shut up. What's that got to do with it?"

"It's quite a proper question," said the judge.

"There you are!" said Arthur, delighted. "I'm obliged to your lordship
for your lordship's remarks. Now, Sir William Thingamy, what do you
mean, sir, by refusing to answer the question? I've a good mind to ask
his lordship to send you to penal servitude. Now, what about the door?"

"I don't know anything about it, and I don't care."

"Ha! ha! You'