A laugh ran through the court, in which all joined save the clerical members of the bench, who looked grave and shook their heads. Zita coloured, and looked about her angrily. Mark's face was pale, and his eyes were lowered. 'I was talking with her in my office,' continued Drownlands, 'when the mob entered my stackyard with torches, and threatened to burn my ricks and break into my house. Mark Runham was with them.' 'Did he threaten you?' 'A great many voices were raised. I could not distinguish one from another. There was a waggon, and Aaron Chevell, Harry Tansley, and Isaac Harley were in it, and Tansley held a gun.' 'Never mind about Tansley now. I see in your deposition that Mark Runham entered your house. Was it so?' 'Yes. He came to my door and knocked. Then Zita let him in.' 'But,' interrupted the chairman, 'what you say now, witness, is not in agreement with your information. You deposed that he had feloniously entered your house.' 'He came to ask for money.' 'Yes, that may be; but if he knocked and was admitted, he cannot be said to have feloniously entered your premises.' 'I don't know about that. I gave no orders that he should be let in. She took it on herself, and went down and unbarred the door, and brought him up to the office. When there he asked for money—for twenty pounds.' 'No, gentlemen,' exclaimed Zita, 'it was not so. He told the master that he advised him to pay the money lest the men should do mischief. He asked for nothing.' 'Silence, if you please,' said the chairman; 'your turn will come presently, and then we will listen to your story. Proceed, Mr. Drownlands. You say now that Mark Runham, the accused, was let into your house by the pretty companion—or lodger. He did not break in. The information is incorrect.' 'I don't understand lawyers' jargon,' said Drownlands sullenly. 'All I know is that Mark Runham came in and asked for twenty pounds, and said that if I did not pay it, the men would burn my ricks as they had those of Gaultrip. I know that blows were struck at my door, and I heard threats that the men would break in, and a brick was thrown at me through the window.' 'That took place whilst Mark was in the room,' said Zita. 'Silence there!' shouted the constable. 'If that girl will intervene, and will not be quiet, let her be put out of the court,' said Sir Bates Dudley, who was on the bench. 'I'll be quiet,' said Zita; 'but when one hears lies, it is hard not to contradict—it is hard—tremenjous.' 'Go on, Mr. Drownlands,' said the chairman. 'They threatened, if I would not pay the twenty pounds, that they would burst in at the door, or by the windows, and take two hundred.' 'Who? The accused?' 'No, not the accused; the others. He was in my office, speaking with me.' 'But we do not want to hear what the others said—at least not now. We are considering the case of Mark Runham. He is a farmer—a landowner, I believe?' 'Yes, he is.'