"Mr. Lawson: 'It does; but it is a puzzle that may be solved. Say that there is here a question of property which would fall to the Emilia Braham who is married according to this entry. To become possessed of this property, she must prove her marriage with Gerald Paget. Some one interested on the other side gets hold of the register book, and erases the name of Gerald Paget. What name shall be substituted in its place? What but that of Gerald Paget? This opens up the suggestion that a friend of Emilia Braham (speaking of her in her maiden name) has also paid a visit to the register, book, has erased the bridegroom's name, and written in its place that of Paget, to prove the said Emilia's marriage with him. A formidable suspicion is thrown upon her, and the very entry upon which she relies is weighty evidence against her.' "The Magistrate: 'It is an ingenious theory, but I cannot see that it has any bearing upon the present case.' "Mr. Lawson: 'It has an indirect bearing. I have here a copy of the marriage certificate, which I must ask you to compare with the entry in the register book. You will see in the copy that the name is Gerald Paget, and you cannot doubt that the copy is genuine." "The Magistrate: 'There can be little doubt of that. The state of the paper is a proof.' "Mr. Lawson: 'If the copy had been lost, it would have greatly strengthened those whose interests are opposed to Mrs. Paget's. I have nothing further to ask you, Mr. Shepherd. Call Jane Seebold.' "Jane Seebold was shown into the witness-box. "'Your name is Jane Seebold?'--'Yes.' "'You are in the service of Mr. Hare?'--'Yes.' "'Do you remember the day before yesterday?'--'Yes.' "'In the evening Mr. Hare went out for an hour?'--'Yes.' "'Was the office in which the official books are kept open?'--'Yes, it was, and I was sweeping it out.' "'Did anybody call while you were so employed?'--'Yes, a gentleman.' "'Did he inquire for any one?'--'Yes, my master.' "'Well?'--'I told him he was out.' "'What did he say to that?'--'He said he would wait for him.' "'You allowed him to wait?'--'Yes.' "'In the office?'--'Yes.' "'What did you do while he waited?'--'I had work in other parts of the house, and I went and did it.' "'For how long was the gentleman left alone in the office?'--'Half an hour, perhaps.' "'Then you went in to him?'--'Yes, and he said he was going, and he went.' "'Did you tell your master of the gentleman's visit when he returned?'--'No, I didn't.' "'Why didn't you?' The witness hesitated. 'Why didn't you? Remember that you are on your oath, and that if you prevaricate or speak falsely you may get yourself into serious trouble. Why did you not tell your master of the gentleman's visit?'--'Well, he gave me five shillings, and told me to say nothing about it. I don't see that I've done any harm.' "'You can step down.'