"Certainly, a very ingenious defence," observed one of the magistrates; "pray where--!" At this moment the door opened, and in came the very gentleman, the magistrate at Bow Street, whose horse I had held. "Good morning, Mr Norman, you have just come in time to render us your assistance. We have a very deep hand to deal with here, or else a very injured person, I cannot tell which. Do us the favour to look over these informations and the defence of the prisoner, previous to our asking him any more questions." The Bow Street magistrate complied, and then turned to me, but I was so disguised with mud, that he could not recognise me. "You are the gentleman, sir, who asked me to hold your horse," said I. "I call you to witness, that that part of my assertion is true." "I do now recollect that you are the person," replied he, "and you may recollect the observation I made, relative to your hands, when you stated that you were a poor countryman." "I do, sir, perfectly," replied I. "Perhaps then you will inform us by what means a diamond ring and twenty pounds in money came into your possession?" "Honestly, sir," replied I. "Will you state, as you are a poor countryman, with whom you worked last--what parish you belong to--and whom you can bring forward in proof of good character?" "I certainly shall not answer those questions," replied I; "if I chose I might so do, and satisfactorily." "What is your name?" "I cannot answer that question either, sir," replied I. "I told you yesterday that we had met before; was it not at Bow Street?" "I am surprised at your asking a question, sir, from the bench, to which, if I answered, the reply might affect me considerably. I am here in a false position, and cannot well help myself. I have no friends that I choose to call, for I should blush that they should see me in such a state, and under such imputations." "Your relations, young man, would certainly not be backward. Who is your father?" "My father!" exclaimed I, raising up my hands and eyes. "My father! Merciful God!--if he could only see me here--see to what he has reduced his unhappy son," and I covered my face, and sobbed convulsively. Chapter LIX By the committing of magisterial mistakes I am personally and penally committed--I prepare for my trial by calling in the assistance of the tailor and the perfumer--I am resolved to die like a gentleman. "It is indeed a pity, a great pity," observed one of the magistrates, "such a fine young man, and evidently, by his demeanour and language, well brought up; but I believe," said he turning to the others, "we have but one course; what say you, Mr Norman?" "I am afraid that my opinion coincides with yours, and that the grand jury will not hesitate to find a bill, as the case stands at present. Let us, however, ask the witness Armstrong one question. Do you positively swear to this young man being one of the persons who attacked you?"