.

"Certainly," responded Mr. Balfour. "What are your religious views,
Jim?"

"Well," said Jim, "I hain't got many, but I sh'd be s'prised if there
wasn't a brimstone mine on t'other side, with a couple o' picks in it
for old Belcher an' the man as helps 'im."

The laugh was on Mr. Cavendish. The Court smiled, the audience roared,
and order was demanded.

"That will do," said Mr. Cavendish. "The religious views of the witness
are definite and satisfactory."

"Jim, do you know Paul Benedict?" inquired Mr. Balfour.

"Well, I do," said Jim. "I've knowed 'im ever sence he come to
Sevenoaks."

"How did you make his acquaintance?"

"He used to come into the woods, fishin' an' huntin'. Him an' me was
like brothers. He was the curisest creetur I ever seen, an' I hope he
takes no 'fense in hearin' me say so. Ye've seen his tackle, Mr.
Balfour, an' that split bamboo o' his, but the jedge hasn't seen it. I
wish I'd brung it along. Fond of fishin', sir?" And Jim turned blandly
and patronizingly to the Court.

The Judge could not repress a little ripple of amusement, which, from a
benevolent mouth, ran out over his face. Biting his lips, he said: "The
witness had better be confined to the matter in hand."

"An' Jedge--no 'fense--but I like yer looks, an' if ye'll come to Number
Nine--it's a little late now--I'll"--

Mr. Cavendish jumped up and said fiercely: "I object to this trifling."

"Jim," said Mr. Balfour, "the defendant's counsel objects to your
trifling. He has a right to do so, particularly as he is responsible for
starting it. Now tell me whether the Paul Benedict you knew was the only
man of the name who has lived in Sevenoaks since you have lived in
Number Nine?"

"He was the only one I ever hearn on. He was the one as invented
Belcher's machines, any way. He's talked about 'em with me a thousand
times."

"Is he in the room?"

"Mostly," said Jim, with his bland smile.

"Give me a direct answer, now."

"Yis, he's in this room, and he's a settin' there by you, an' he's been
a stannin' where I stan' now."

"How do you know that this is the same man who used to visit you in the
woods, and who invented Mr. Belcher's machines?"

"Well, it's a long story. I don't mind tellin' on it, if it wouldn't be
too triflin'," with a comical wink at Mr. Cavendish.

"Go on and tell it," said Mr. Balfour.

"I knowed Benedict up to the time when he lost his mind, an' was packed
off to the 'Sylum, an' I never seen