remendous. The
barristers sat in their seats open-mouthed. Never in all their
experience had they witnessed such an event. The jury seemed incapable
of moving, but many of the spectators, unable to restrain their
emotions, sobbed hysterically.

"I wish to say," went on the judge, "that I have had no communication
in any form with the prisoner, neither did he know of what was in my
mind as I came here to-day. I have not seen him during the trial
except in this court. Realising our relations as judge and prisoner
this was impossible. But no sooner did I learn of the relationship
which existed between us than I realised the impossibility of my
continuing to sit on this case."

For the moment he stopped, as if he had said all that he intended to
say. Perhaps he felt that it was not for the jurymen to know, or for
that gaping crowd to know the real thoughts that were in his heart.
But no one made a movement as if to go. Men and women sat there,
hungry to hear more, eager for the continuance of the exciting scene
which had aroused them to the very depths of their nature. One man who
was there has told me since that he forgot, just as others had
forgotten, that Paul Stepaside was being tried for murder. It was
rather some great drama of life which was being acted for their
benefit, and which held them all spellbound as if by some magician's
power. They could not understand the why and the wherefore. Their
minds were too bewildered and excited to realise what lay behind it
all, but all felt that there was something momentous, tragic.

Presently the judge lifted his head as if to speak again. That he was
suffering terribly, and undoubtedly that he was under the influence of
mighty emotions all were sure. Many there were who, forgetful of all
else, pitied him. But the prevailing feeling was that of wonder and
eager expectation of what might come next.

"I need not say," went on the judge, "that the proceedings of yesterday
are nullified by my action to-day. I need not say that another of his
Majesty's judges will have to sit in my place, that a new jury will
have to be sworn, and the case will have to be re-tried from the
beginning. But with that I have nothing to do, and for the moment,
although it is not in accordance with any law or usage, I want to say
what is in my heart. It was only late last night that I learnt of the
relationship between the man who is known as Paul Stepaside and myself,
and therefo