Herrick, thought most of his friends, rose to the occasion, dealing effectively with the complex facts and figures of the case. There were others who shrugged their shoulders, and merely conceded that he “did his best,” considering how heavily he was overweighted. In reality, the performance was nothing to be ashamed of; nothing to boast of. The older and more experienced advocates on the other side paid him some handsome compliments when their innings came. But that did not prevent them from making mince-meat of his arguments, and hammering home their own. It may be doubted, however, whether the most powerful advocate who ever breathed the air of the Criminal Courts of England would have drawn a verdict of Guilty from the jury. The judge, in his lucid summing-up, virtually told them to convict; but there were other and more powerful influences at work. As the trial proceeded, the voice of a great crowd outside the walls of the Court rose in tumultuous sounds at intervals. In spite of the efforts of the police, it became only too plain that there was a demonstration--organised, determined; and that, for reasons then but imperfectly understood, the acquittal of the prisoners was demanded. It was, in effect, the first skirmish in that campaign against the forces of law and order, of which, presently, London was to be the battleground. The voice of the people prevailed. After an hour’s absence, and sundry messages of inquiry from the Chief Justice, the jury returned into Court with a verdict of “Not guilty.” “And that is the verdict of you all,” echoed the Clerk of Arraigns in the usual formula. Here and there in the packed Court there was an involuntary exclamation. “Silence! silence!” came from the ushers and police. “The prisoners will be discharged,” said the judge, whose manner had assumed the utmost gravity, “and,” he added significantly, “the jury will be discharged also from further duties in the box during the present sessions.” Lord Malvern left the Bench as the two prisoners disappeared down the steps leading from the dock. A babel of voices arose outside the building, and grew, unchecked, until it became a mighty roar of triumph from the mob. The verdict was known; cheer after cheer broke out, and the accused, prisoners no longer, were received as heroes, and borne shoulder high from the gates of the prison, through the streets of London. CHAPTER V THE LEAGUERS’ SECOND MOVE