ion
was that the ordinance had been complied with, that Cerberus was only
one dog, and that the license had been paid; that the license having
been paid, the dog-catchers had no right to endeavor to abduct the
animal, and that having done so they did it at their own peril; that
the suit ought to be dismissed, but that for the fun of it the State was
perfectly willing to let it go on.

"In rebuttal the plaintiff claimed that Cerberus was three dogs to all
intents and purposes, and the first dog-catcher was called to testify.
After giving his name and address he was asked a few questions of minor
importance, and then Coke asked:

"'Are you familiar with dogs?'

"'Moderately,' was the answer. 'I never got quite so intimate with one
as I did with him.'

"'With whom?' asked Coke.

"'Cerberus,' replied the witness.

"'Do you consider him to be one dog, two dogs or three dogs?'

"'I object!' cried Catiline, springing to his feet. 'The question is a
leading one.'

"'Sustained,' said Blackstone, with a nervous glance at Apollyon, who
smiled reassuringly at him.

"'Ah, you say you know a dog when you see one?' asked Coke.

"'Yes,' said the witness, 'perfectly.'

"'Do you know two dogs when you see them, or even three?' asked Coke.

"'I do,' replied the witness.

"'And how many dogs did you see when you saw Cerberus?' asked Coke,
triumphantly.

"'Three, anyhow,' replied the witness, with feeling, 'though afterwards
I thought there was a whole bench-show atop of me.'

"'Your witness,' said Coke.

"A murmur of applause went through the court-room, at which Apollyon
frowned; but his face cleared in a moment when Catiline rose up.

"'My cross-examination of this witness, your honor, will be confined to
one question.' Then turning to the witness he said, blandly: 'My poor
friend, if you considered Cerberus to be three dogs anyhow, why did you
in your examination a moment since refer to the avalanche of caninity,
of which you so affectingly speak, as him?'

"'He is a him,' said the witness.

"'But if there were three, should he not have been a them?'

"Coke swore profanely beneath his breath, and the witness squirmed
about in his chair, confused and broken, while both Judge Blackstone and
Apollyon smiled broadly. Manifestly the point of the defence had pierced
the armor of the plaintiff.

"'Your witness for re-direct,' said Catiline.

"'No thanks,' retorted Coke; 'there are others,' and, motioning to his
fi