"I will not characterize by the name belonging to it the instrument
which is to be presented in answer to the bill filed in this case,
further than to say that it has no legal status whatsoever. It is the
consummate fruit of a tree that was planted in fraud; and if I do not
make it so to appear, before the case is finished, I will beg pardon of
the court, of you, gentlemen of the jury, and especially of the
defendant and his honorable counsel. First, therefore, I offer in
evidence certified copies of the patents in question."

Mr. Balfour read these documents, and they were examined both by Mr.
Cavendish and the court.

The name of Paul Benedict was then called, as the first witness.

Mr. Benedict mounted the witness stand. He was pale and quiet, with a
pink tinge on either cheek. He had the bearing and dress of a gentleman,
and contrasted strangely with the coarse, bold man to whom he had been
indebted for so many wrongs and indignities. He was at last in the place
to which he had looked forward with so much dread, but there came to him
a calmness and a self-possession which he had not anticipated. He was
surrounded by powerful friends. He was menaced, too, by powerful
enemies, and all his manhood was roused.

"What is your name?" asked Mr. Balfour.

"Paul Benedict."

"Where were you born?"

"In the city of New York."

"Are you the inventor of the machines, implements and processes named in
the documents from the Patent Office which have just been read in your
hearing?"

"I am, sir."

"And you are the only owner of all these patent rights?"

"I am, sir."

"What is your profession?"

"I was trained for a mechanical engineer."

"What has been your principal employment?"

"Invention."

"When you left New York, whither did you go?"

"To Sevenoaks."

"How many years ago was that?"

"Eleven or twelve, I suppose."

"Now I want you to tell to the Court, in a plain, brief way, the history
of your life in Sevenoaks, giving with sufficient detail an account of
all your dealings with the defendant in this case, so that we may
perfectly understand how your inventions came into Mr. Belcher's hands,
and why you have never derived any benefit from them."

It was a curious illustration of the inventor's nature that, at this
moment, with his enemy and tormentor before him, he shrank from giving
pain. Mr. Cavendish noticed his hesitation, and was on his feet in an
instant. "May it please the court," said h