," whose obvious confidence in his ability
was shared by few. Influence rather than merit had, I was told, won his
admission to the Inner Bar, and the supercilious manner which he
continually observed towards the Bench afforded a first-class exhibition
of particularly bad form.

"This mysterious car," he began, "that we've all heard so much
about--you say it was green?"

"I do," said Berry.

"What sort of green?"

"A bilious green."

There was a subdued titter, and one of the jurymen made no attempt to
disguise his amusement. The frown upon counsel's face deepened.

"Was it a light or dark green, sir?"

"Light."

"Might it have been grey?"

"It might. It might have been a beautiful ruby pink. But it wasn't. It
was just green."

A second titter, more pronounced than before, ran round the Court, and
counsel flushed angrily.

"You have sworn that it was an open car?"

"So it was."

"And that there were two passengers?"

"So there were."

"And that the one who was not driving was wearing a chauffeur's
uniform?"

"So he was."

"Listen. You saw its colour, you noticed its style, you swear to the
number of passengers, and were actually able to observe how one of them
was clad. How is it that you cannot speak to its number?"

"I will tell you. I was sitting----"

"On your oath, sir!"

"No, on the back seat." There was more than a ripple of laughter, and
the Judge shot a quick glance at counsel before removing his _pince-nez_
and sitting back in his chair. "The heads and shoulders of Mrs. Pleydell
and Captain Mansel, who were seated in front, obscured my view."

"Wasn't it because the car was travelling too fast?"

"Certainly not. They saw it."

"That is a matter of opinion."

"It is a matter of fact," was the retort.

"It is easy to be rude, Major Pleydell."

"I'll take your word for it."

Counsel appealed to the Judge.

"My lord, I must ask your lordship----"

"I see no reason to interfere," was the cold reply.

Counsel swallowed before proceeding. He was one of those who cannot let
ill alone.

"The truth is," he announced, as if byway or conclusion, "that your
recollection of the whole matter is extremely hazy, isn't it?"

For a moment Berry regarded him. Then he leaned back in the box and
folded his arms.

"You know," he said, slowly shaking his head, "you know, you can't be
well."

There was a roar of laughter.

"Never mind my health, sir," was the heated reply.

"Oh, but