"Your Lordship, it is simply this." Cleek threw back his head. "The prisoner at bar--" He pointed to Merriton, who at the first sound of Cleek's voice had spun round, a sudden hope finding birth in his dull eyes, "is _innocent_! I have absolute proof. Also--" He switched round upon his heel and surveyed the court room, "I beg of your Lordship that you will immediately give orders for no person to leave this court. The instigator of the crime is before my eyes. Perhaps you do not know me, but I have been at work upon this case for some time, and am a colleague of Mr. Narkom of Scotland Yard. My name is--Cleek--Hamilton Cleek. I have your permission to continue?" A murmur went up round the crowded court room. The judge nodded. He needed no introduction to Cleek. "The gentlemen of the jury will be seated," declared the court, "the clerk will call Hamilton Cleek as a witness." This formality accomplished, the judge indicated that he, himself, would question this crucial eleventh-hour witness. "Mr. Cleek," he began, "you say this man is innocent. We will hear your story." Cleek motioned to Dollops, who stood at the back of the court, and instantly the lad pushed his way through the crowd to his master's side, carrying the long, ungainly burden in his arms. Meanwhile, at the back of the room a commotion had occurred. The magic name of that most magical of men--Hamilton Cleek, detective--had wrought what Cleek had known it would. Someone was pushing for the door with all the strength that was in him, but already the key had turned, and Hammond, as guardian, held up his hand. Cleek knew--but for the time said nothing--and the crowd had hidden whoever it was from the common view. He simply motioned Dollops to lay his burden upon the table, and then spoke once more. "M' Lud," he said clearly, "may I ask a favour of the court? I should be obliged if you would call every witness in this matter here--simultaneously. Set them out in a row, if you will, but call them _now_.... Thanks." The judge motioned to the clerk, and through the hushed silence of the court the dull voice droned out: "Anthony West, William Borkins, Lester Stark, Gustave Brellier, Miss Antoinette Brellier, Doctor Bartholomew...." And so on through the whole list. As each name was called the owner of it came forward and stood in front of the judge's high desk. "A most unusual proceeding, sir," said that worthy, again settling the spectacles upon his nose and frowning down at Cleek; "but, knowing who you are--" "I appreciate your Lordship's kindness. Now then, all there?" Cleek whirled suddenly, and surveyed the strange line. "That's good. And at least every one of them is _here_. No chance of slipping away now. Now for it."