ile the Court adjourns."

The jurymen whispered together for a few moments and then the foreman
stood up.

"We have agreed on our verdict, my lord," he said.

The prisoner, who had just been led to the back of the dock, was now
brought back to the bar. The grey-wigged clerk of the court stood up and
addressed the jury.

"Are you all agreed upon your verdict, gentlemen?"

"We are," replied the foreman.

"What do you say, gentlemen? Is the prisoner guilty or not guilty?"

"Not guilty," replied the foreman, raising his voice and glancing at
Reuben.

A storm of applause burst from the gallery and was, for the moment,
disregarded by the judge. Mrs. Hornby laughed aloud--a strange,
unnatural laugh--and then crammed her handkerchief into her mouth, and
so sat gazing at Reuben with the tears coursing down her face, while
Juliet laid her head upon the desk and sobbed silently.

After a brief space the judge raised an admonitory hand, and, when the
commotion had subsided, addressed the prisoner, who stood at the bar,
calm and self-possessed, though his face bore a slight flush--

"Reuben Hornby, the jury, after duly weighing the evidence in this case,
have found you to be not guilty of the crime with which you were
charged. With that verdict I most heartily agree. In view of the
evidence which has been given, I consider that no other verdict was
possible, and I venture to say that you leave this court with your
innocence fully established, and without a stain upon your character. In
the distress which you have recently suffered, as well as in your
rejoicing at the verdict of the jury, you have the sympathy of the
Court, and of everyone present, and that sympathy will not be diminished
by the consideration that, with a less capable defence, the result might
have been very different.

"I desire to express my admiration at the manner in which that defence
was conducted, and I desire especially to observe that not you alone,
but the public at large, are deeply indebted to Dr. Thorndyke, who, by
his insight, his knowledge and his ingenuity, has probably averted a
very serious miscarriage of justice. The Court will now adjourn until
half-past two."

The judge rose from his seat and everyone present stood up; and, amidst
the clamour of many feet upon the gallery stairs, the door of the dock
was thrown open by a smiling police officer and Reuben came down the
stairs into the body of the court.

CHAPTER XVII

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