Meantime, inside the court order was gradually restored. The chairman made a feeling allusion to the sudden illness which had fallen on the most important witness in the case’which was the less to be wondered at, since the case was one that must deeply move Mr. Pepperill, as he had to appear against a member of his own family. Then Mr. Pooke, with a mottled face, pushed up to the Bench, and whispered something in the ear of the chairman. “I beg pardon, I do not understand,” said he. “Sir,” said Mr. Pooke, “the real culprit has come to deliver himself up’Jason Quarm, who set fire to the rick, for which his daughter stands here accused wrongfully by the biggest rascal that ever breathed.” “Call Jason Quarm!” said the magistrate. Jason at once hobbled forward and pushed himself in beside Kate, who was trembling with emotions of the most varied nature. Jason cleared his throat and said’ “I, your worships, I, and none but I, set fire to the rick at Coombe Cellars, and I did it by inadvertence. Please you to remove my daughter from this dock, and hear her presently as witness.” “Let us hear first what you have to say. We cannot discharge her till we know that she is innocent.” “She is innocent, as innocent as the day. May it please your worships to hear what I have to relate. It’s a main long story,” said Jason. “What is to the point we will listen to. So you surrender yourself as having fired the rick.” “I did it, your worship. This is how it came about’you may put me on oath if you will.” “Stay a moment. I have to caution you that you are not obliged to say anything, unless you desire to do so; but whatever you say will be taken down in writing, and may be given in evidence against you upon your trial.” “I quite understand that,” said Quarm. “If I may be allowed a seat, I shall be obliged. I’ve got one leg a bit shorter than the other, and it’s rayther a trouble for me to stand long, and I’ve a goodish long tale to tell.” “I again remind you that what you say must be to the point.” “I shan’t wander,” answered Jason. “But I shall have to begin some way back, and that in March last, when Mr. Pooke’s rick was set a-blazin’. That were thought to ha’ been the doin’ of Roger Redmore, and there was a warrant out agin him, but he wor niver ketched.” “Does this concern the case before the court?” “Ay, it do’intimate like.” “Very well, then, proceed. We have ordered you to be accommodated with a chair, and your daughter likewise.” “Roger Redmore, he runned away, and the constables never ketched he. My daughter Kitty, her took on terrible over the poor wife as was turned out of house and home by Mr. Pooke, and her persuaded me to let the woman have my cottage, for she and the little ones. I didn’t mind, as I was away on the moor busy about Brimpts oak wood, and when I comed back to Coombe, I wor mostly at the Cellars. My sister Zerah, she be that rapscallion Pasco’s wife, you understand, your worship.”