"I must beg most respectfully to point out to your Honor that the Criminal Code provides that the confession of a defendant is not of itself enough to warrant his conviction _without additional proof that the crime charged has been committed_. May I be pardoned for indicating to your Honor that the only evidence in this proceeding against my client is his own confession, made, I believe, some time ago, under circumstances which were, to say the least, unusual. While I do not pretend to doubt the sincerity of his motives on that occasion, or to contest at this juncture the question of his moral guilt, the fact remains _that there has been no additional proof_ adduced upon any of the material points in the case, to wit, that the complainant ever existed, ever possessed a ring, or that it was ever taken from him." He paused, coughed slightly, and, removing from his green bag a folded paper, continued: "In addition, it is my duty to inform the Court that a person named Farlan left the jurisdiction of this tribunal upon the day after Monohan's conviction of the offence for which my client is now on trial. "After such an unfortunate mistake," said Crookshanks with an almost imperceptible twinkle in his "jury eye," "he can hardly be expected to assist voluntarily in a second prosecution. I hold in my hand his affidavit that he has left the State never to return." The Judge had left his chair and was striding up and down the dais. He now turned wrathfully upon poor Dockbridge. "What do you mean by trying a case before me prepared in such a fashion? This is a disgraceful miscarriage of justice! I shall lay the matter before the District Attorney in person! Mr. Crookshanks has correctly stated the law. I am absolutely compelled to discharge this defendant, who, by his own statement, ought to be incarcerated in State Prison! I--I--the Court has been hoodwinked! The District Attorney made ridiculous! As for you," casting a withering glance upon the prisoner, "if I ever have the opportunity, I shall punish you as you deserve!" Dead silence fell upon the court-room. The clerk arose and cleared his throat. "Mr. Foreman, have you agreed upon a verdict? What say you? Do you find the defendant guilty, or not guilty?" "Not guilty," replied the foreman, somewhat doubtfully. There was a smothered demonstration in the rear of the court-room. A few spectators had the temerity to clap their hands. "Silence! Silence in the court!" shouted the Captain. The clerk faced the prisoner. "James Hawkins, alias James Hawkinson, alias Supple Jim, you are discharged." As our hero stepped from behind the bar, Paddy was the first to grasp his hand. "You're the cleverest boy in New York!" he muttered enthusiastically; "and say, Jim," he lowered his voice--could it be with a shade of embarrassment?--"you're a hero all right, into the bargain."