“My lord,” said the counsel for the prosecution, noting the smile, and the significant grin with which it was reflected on the countenances of the twelve good men and true, “I may state that we are prepared to bring forward a large mass of scientific evidence--including a well-known man of science, the editor of _Wisdom_, a popular journal which takes all knowledge for its province--to prove that there is nothing physically impossible in the facts deposed to by this witness. He is at present suffering, as you see, from a serious accident caused by the very machine of which he speaks, and which can be exhibited, with a working model, to the Court.” “It certainly requires corroboration,” said the judge. “At present, so far as I am aware, it is contrary to scientific experience. You can prove, perhaps, that, in the opinion of experts, these machines have only to take one step further to become practical modes of locomotion. But _that_ is the very step _qui coûte_. Nothing but direct evidence that the step has been taken--that a flying machine, on this occasion, actually _flew_ (they appear to be styled _volantes, a non volando_)--would really help your case, and establish the credibility of this witness.” “With your lordship’s learned remarks,” replied the counsel for the crown, “I am not the less ready to agree, because I _have_ an actual eye-witness, who not only saw the flight deposed to by the witness, but reported it to several persons, who are in court, on the night of its occurrence, so that her statement, though disbelieved, was the common talk of the neighborhood.” “Ah! that is another matter,” said the judge. “Call Eliza Gullick,” said the counsel. Eliza was called, and in a moment was curtsying, with eagerness, but perfect self-possession. After displaying an almost technical appreciation of the nature of an oath, Eliza was asked: “You remember the night of the 7th of February?” “I remember it very well, sir.” “Why do you remember it so well, Eliza?” “Becos such a mort o’ things happened, sir, that night.” “Will you tell his lordship what happened?” “Certainly, my lord. Mr. Toopny gave us a supper, us himps, my lord, at the _Hilarity_; for he said--” “Never mind what he said, tell us what happened as you were coming home.” “Well, sir, it was about eleven o’clock at night, and I was turning the lane into the _Hit or Miss_, when I heard an awful flapping and hissing and whirring, like wings working by steam, in the waste ground at the side of the lane. And, as I was listening--oh, it frightens me now to think of it--oh, sir--” “Well, don’t be alarmed, my good child! What occurred?” “A great thing like a bird, sir, bigger than a man, flew up over my head, higher than the houses. And then--did you ever see them Japanese toys, my lord, them things with two feathers and a bit of India-rubber as you twist round and round and toss them up and they fly--” “Well, my girl, I have seen them.”