The defence was not badly sustained, especially by Layer himself. His chief point was that being accused of an overt act of treason in the county of Essex, if that accusation failed to be proved, whatever he had done elsewhere was irrelevant. Kettleby too addressed himself so clearly to this elucidation as to excite the chief judge to reprehensible pettishness. ‘You have mixed your discourse so,’ cried Pratt, ‘that nobody knows what to make of it!’ The counsel tried hard to prove that Layer had not even been where Lynch swore he had committed an act of treason. Mackreth, the host of the ‘Green Man,’ at Epping, his wife, and John Paulfreeman, their servant, swore positively that no one resembling Layer had ever been in that house. ‘But,’ said mine host, ‘there was the Duke of Grafton and Lord Halifax came to my house some time since. The Duke said to me, “Mackreth, you’re to be hanged.” “Hanged!” said I, “for what?” “You and your friend, Layer, are to be hanged!” Said I, “I never saw him in all my life.” He added, “They walked to and fro in the hall.” “What!” said they, “do you know nothing of this Layer?” “No!” said I, “I don’t, directly nor indirectly, as I hope to be saved.”’ This characteristic attempt by great personages to intimidate a witness failed. [Sidenote: _STRANGE WITNESSES._] Great interest was next excited by the appearance of Lord North and Grey, a prisoner from the Tower. He had been captured in the Isle of Wight, in an attempt to escape to France. He served the Government rather than Layer, on whose part he was called. Lord North confessed that Lynch was twice at his house, in Essex; but was rather uncivilly got rid of the second time. Being pressed as to what passed between himself, Lynch, and Layer, he answered:――‘It is a little hard for a man of honour to betray conversation that passed over a bottle of wine, in discourse.’ Although he said he must submit if ordered to betray, he was _not_ ordered; and he the more confidently added: ‘As to particular things, I don’t care to speak of them. I should be sorry to say it, when it was said in my company and under my roof.’ Having made this singular speech, Layer’s counsel rejoined with one as singular:――‘We won’t press it,’――as if my lord’s silence bore less peril to their client than his outspokenness would bear. At length, said Lord North and Grey, ‘I must, by your Lordship’s leave, if these gentlemen have no further to say to me, and your Lordships have no further commands, ask that I may return to my prison.’ Upon which, Mr. Hungerford, as if he were glad to be well rid of him, called out, ‘I hope you will make way there for Lord North and Grey through the crowd!’ It was a turbulent crowd, and given to ‘tumbling about’ such witnesses as happened to displease them. This was especially the case with Sir Dennis O’Carroll, one of many witnesses who swore to the rascal repute of Lynch and Plunket. ‘It’s a mighty bad character Plunket has,’ said the gallant