"Very well, then," said the prosecutor sternly, "your client will have to take the consequences. Call the complainant." "Daniel Farlan, take the witness' chair." The crowd in the court-room waited expectantly. The complainant, however, did not respond. "Daniel Farlan! Daniel Farlan!" bawled the officer. But the venerable Farlan came not. Perchance he was a-sleeping or a-hunting. "If your Honor pleases," announced Dockbridge, "the complainant does not answer. I must ask for an adjournment." But in an instant the old war-horse, Crookshanks, was upon his feet snorting for the battle. "I protest against any such proceeding!" he shouted, his voice trembling with well-simulated indignation. "My client is in jeopardy. I insist that this trial go on here and now!" Dockbridge smiled deprecatingly, but the jury and spectators showed plainly that they were of Mr. Crookshanks's opinion. The Judge hesitated for a moment, but his duty was clear. There was no question but that Jim _had_ been put in jeopardy. "You must go on with the trial, Mr. Dockbridge," he announced reluctantly. "The jury has been sworn, and a witness has testified. It is too late to stop now." The Assistant was forced to admit that he had no further evidence at hand. "What!" cried the Judge. "No further evidence! Well, proceed with the defence!" Dockbridge dropped into a chair and mopped his forehead, while the jury glanced inquiringly in the direction of the defendant. But now Crookshanks, the hero of a hundred legal conflicts, the hope and trust of all defenceless criminals, slowly arose and buttoned his threadbare frock-coat. He looked the Court full in the eye. The prosecutor he ignored. "If your Honor please," began the old lawyer gently, "I move that the Court direct the jury to acquit, on the ground that the People have failed to make out a case." The Assistant jumped to his feet. The spectators stared in amazement at the audacity of the request. The Judge's face became a study. "What do you mean, Mr. Crookshanks?" he exclaimed. "This man is a self-confessed criminal. Do you hear, sir, a _self-confessed criminal_." But the anger of the Court had no terrors for little Crookshanks. He waited calmly until the Judge had concluded, smiled deferentially, and resumed his remarks, as if the bench were in its usual state of placidity.