a look of triumph.

"Do you propose to cross-examine the witness?" inquired the judge,
seeing that the counsel for the defence made no sign.

"No, my lord," replied Anstey.

Thereupon Sir Hector Trumpler turned once more towards the defending
counsel, and his broad, red face was illumined by a smile of deep
satisfaction. That smile was reflected on the face of Mr. Singleton as
he stepped from the box, and, as I glanced at Thorndyke, I seemed to
detect, for a single instant, on his calm and immovable countenance, the
faintest shadow of a smile.

"Herbert John Nash!"

A plump, middle-aged man, of keen, though studious, aspect, stepped into
the box, and Sir Hector rose once more.

"You are one of the chief assistants in the Finger-print Department, I
believe, Mr. Nash?"

"I am."

"Have you heard the evidence of the last witness?"

"I have."

"Do you agree with the statements made by that witness?"

"Entirely. I am prepared to swear that the print on the paper found in
the safe is that of the left thumb of the prisoner, Reuben Hornby."

"And you are certain that no mistake is possible?"

"I am certain that no mistake is possible."

Again Sir Hector glanced significantly at the jury as he resumed his
seat, and again Anstey made no sign beyond the entry of a few notes on
the margin of his brief.

"Are you calling any more witnesses?" asked the judge, dipping his pen
in the ink.

"No, my lord," replied Sir Hector. "That is our case."

Upon this Anstey rose and, addressing the judge, said--

"I call witnesses, my lord."

The judge nodded and made an entry in his notes while Anstey delivered
his brief introductory speech--

"My lord and gentlemen of the jury, I shall not occupy the time of the
Court with unnecessary appeals at this stage, but shall proceed to take
the evidence of my witnesses without delay."

There was a pause of a minute or more, during which the silence was
broken only by the rustle of papers and the squeaking of the judge's
quill pen. Juliet turned a white, scared face to me and said in a hushed
whisper--

"This is terrible. That last man's evidence is perfectly crushing. What
can possibly be said in reply? I am in despair; oh! poor Reuben! He is
lost, Dr. Jervis! He hasn't a chance now."

"Do you believe that he is guilty?" I asked.

"Certainly not!" she replied indignantly. "I am as certain of his
innocence as ever."

"Then," said I, "if he is innocent, there must be some