Nothing more, apparently, that was evidence, could be got from the witness, so he was dismissed. Call the Reverend Mr. Wilberforce. The Reverend Mr. Wilberforce, rector of St. James the Less, minor canon and sacrist of Westerbury Cathedral, and head-master of the collegiate school, came forward, and was sworn. "You are the rector of St. James the Less?" said Serjeant Wrangle. "I am," replied Mr. Wilberforce. "Did you ever see the entry of Robert Carr's marriage with Martha Ann Hughes in the church's register." "Yes, I did." Serjeant Siftem pricked up his ears. "When did you see it?" "On the 7th of last November." "How do you fix the date, Mr. Wilberforce?" inquired, the judge, recognising him as the minor canon who had officiated in the chanter's desk the previous day in the cathedral. "I had been marrying a couple that morning, my lord, the 7th. After I had entered their marriage, I turned back and looked for the registry of Robert Carr's, and I found it and read it." "What induced you to look for it?" asked the counsel. "I had heard that his marriage was discovered to have taken place at St. James's, and that it was recorded in the register;" and Mr. Wilberforce then told how he had heard it. "Curiosity induced me to turn back and read it," he continued. "You both saw it and read it?" continued Serjeant Wrangle. "I both saw it and read it," replied Mr. Wilberforce. "Then you testify that it was undoubtedly there?" "Most certainly it was." "The reverend gentleman will have the goodness to remember that he is upon his oath," cried Serjeant Siftem, impudently bobbing up. "_Sir!_" was the indignant rebuke of the clergyman. "You forget to whom you are speaking," he added, amidst the dead silence of the court. "Can you remember the words written?" resumed Serjeant Wrangle. "The entry was properly made; in the same manner that the others were, of that period. Robert Carr and Martha Ann Hughes had signed it; also her brother and sister as witnesses." "You have no doubt that the entry was there, then, Mr. Wilberforce?" observed the judge. "My lord," cried the reverend gentleman, somewhat nettled at the question, "I can believe my own eyes. I am not more certain that I am now giving evidence before your lordship, than I am that the marriage was in the register." "It is not in now?" said the judge. "No, my lord; it must have been cleverly abstracted." "The whole leaf, I presume?" said Serjeant Wrangle. "Undoubtedly. The marriage entered below Robert Carr's was that of Sir Thomas Ealing: I read that also, with its long string of witnesses: that is also gone." "Can you account for its disappearance?" asked Serjeant Wrangle. "Not in the least. I wish I could: and find out the offenders." "The incumbent of the parish at that time is no longer living, I believe?" observed Serjeant Wrangle.