The silky tones of Mr. Gentle Gammon came as a positive relief as he re-examined and asked gently-- "Have you got the particular bottle of Creme-de-Menthe in Court?" The Writer said he had brought it. The bottle was fetched promptly. "My Lord," observed Mr. Gentle Gammon, "I do not think the amount taken could possibly have had any effect upon anybody. Your Lordship observes that the bottle is nearly full, and the bottle produced is the identical vessel used upon the evening in question. Was any other sort of refreshment partaken of that evening in your chambers?" "None whatever." "One more question before you go. Of course this ballad, rearranged, as you say, from the original by you, was written without any thought of giving offence?" "It was never intended to be published at all." "Never intended to be read in Court, of course?" "_Never_, in the way it was read." "Thank you, that is enough," whereupon the Writer vanished gracefully from the witness-box. After this period in the proceedings, if the Learned Judge slumbered only fitfully during Mr. Dreadful's final peroration, it might have been owing to the spasmodic explosions of that Counsel's voice; but there could be no doubt that the Learned Judge slept peacefully during the earlier portions of Mr. Gentle Gammon's final effort upon behalf of his client. The Learned Judge had, however, a curious habit of hearing particular things in his sleep, which, like the highly intelligent house-dog, might have been either the result of long training or a naturally keen possession of the intuitive faculty. His Lordship found frequent occasion, therefore, to arouse himself in order to interpolate remarks during the latter half of Mr. Gentle Gammon's closing speech. "Who are these sceptics?" demanded Mr. Gammon, "these disbelievers?" After all they had heard that afternoon, might they not verily be approaching that blissful period when the Lion should lie down with the Lamb?... _His Lordship_ (opening one eye). "But it seems, according to evidence, that the Lion didn't always lie down; it stood up and gave a party." Counsel proceeds: he had not quite finished the beautiful and well-known simile; here Counsel paused before continuing in a voice mellowed by winning tenderness-- "And the little child shall lead them." _Judge_ (again interrupting). "No, no, the Lion, according to evidence, distinctly led the children, even took them to Balham, we gather, in the direction of the tram-lines." _Counsel_. "Your Lordship is pleased to interrupt my remarks." _Judge_. "No, no, not pleased at all; quite the contrary." _Counsel_. "I am sorry to have encountered your Lordship's displeasure." _His Lordship_ (irritably). "You have not encountered anything yet, save an inability to deal with the evidence, as evidence." _Counsel_. "But, my Lord------" _His Lordship_. "Hush, do not contradict me. Please continue; I shall not interrupt again."