In this atmosphere of sympathy the girl found her tongue, and with a confiding twist, of her pretty head began again: “Well, now, I'll tell you just how it was. I'd just got my book out of the Public Library, and I was going down Neponset Street on my way home, hurrying along, because I see it was beginning to be pretty late, and the first thing I know somebody pulled my hat down over my eyes, and tore the brim half off, so I don't suppose I can ever wear it again, it's such a lookin' thing; any rate it ain't the one I've got on, though it's some like it; and then the next thing, somebody grabbed away the satchel I'd got on my arm; and as soon as I could get my eyes clear again, I see two fellows chasin' up the street, and I told the officer somebody'd got my book; and I knew it was one of those fellows runnin' away, and I said, 'There they go now,' and the officer caught the hind one, and I guess the other one got away; and the officer told me to follow along to the station-house, and when we got there they took my name, and where I roomed, and my age----” “Do you recognise this young man as one of the persons who robbed you?” interrupted the judge, nodding his head toward Lemuel, who now lifted his head and looked his accuser fearlessly in her pretty eyes. “Why, no!” she promptly replied. “The first thing I knew, he'd pulled my hat over my eyes.” “But you recognise him as one of those you saw running away?” “Oh yes, he's one of _them_,” said the girl. “What made you think he had robbed you?” “Why, because my satchel was gone!” returned the girl, with logic that apparently amused the gentlemen of the bar. “But why did you think _he_ had taken it?” “Because I see him running away.” “You couldn't swear that he was the one who took your satchel?” “Why, of course not! I didn't _see_ him till I saw him running. And I don't know as he was the one, now,” added the girl, in a sudden burst of generosity. “And if it was to do over again, I should say as much to the officers at the station. But I got confused when they commenced askin' me who I was, and how much I weighed, and what my height was; and _he_ didn't say anything; and I got to thinkin' may be it _was_; and when they told me that if I didn't promise to appear at court in the morning they'd have to lock me up, I was only too glad to get away alive.” By this time all the blackguard audience were sharing, unchecked, the amusement of the bar. The judge put up his hand to hide a laugh. Then he said to Lemuel, “Do you wish to question the plaintiff?” The two young things looked at each other, and both blushed. “No,” said Lemuel. The girl looked at the judge for permission, and at a nod from him left the stand and sat down.