A meaning pause succeeded the announcement of this name. Trueman was a person of considerable local influence, and would probably carry great weight in a body composed principally of men even less instructed than he was himself. What was more, both Timms and Williams knew that their respective agents had been hard at work to gain his ear, though neither knew exactly with what degree of success. It was consequently equally hazardous to accept or to oppose, and the two legal gladiators stood at bay, each waiting for the other to betray his opinion of the man. The judge soon became wearied, and inquired if the juror was accepted. It was a somewhat amusing sight, now, to observe the manner in which Timms proceeded with Williams, and Williams met Timms. “I should like to hear the gentleman’s objections to this juror,” observed Timms, “as I do not see that his challenge is peremptory.” “I have not challenged the juror at all,” answered Williams, “but have understood the challenge comes from the defence.” “This is extr’or’nary! The gentleman looks defiance at the jurors, and now declares he does not challenge!” “Looks! If looks made a challenge, the state might at once suffer these foul murders to go unpunished, for I am sure the gentleman’s countenance is a perfect thunder-cloud—” “I trust that counsel will recollect the gravity of this cause, and suffer it to be conducted with the decorum that ought never to be wanting in a court of justice,” interposed the judge. “Unless there is a direct challenge, from one side or the other, the juror must take his seat, of course.” “I should like to ask the juror a question or two,” Timms replied, speaking very cautiously, and like one who was afraid of hurting the feelings of the party under examination; and in truth wary, lest on investigation he might discover that Trueman was likely to be the sort of person he wanted. “You have been at Biberry, juror, since the opening of the court?” Trueman nodded his head. “Of course, you have been round among your friends and neighbours, that you have met with here?” Another nod from Trueman, with a sort of affirmative grunt. “You have probably heard more or less said concerning Mary Monson—I mean in a legal and proper way?” A third nod of assent. “Can you speak anything, in particular, that has been said in your presence?” Trueman seemed to tax his memory; then he raised his head, and answered deliberately and with great clearness, “I was going from the tavern to the court-house, when I met David Johnson—” “Never mind those particulars, Mr. Trueman,” interrupted Timms, who saw that the juror had been talking with one of his own most confidential agents—“what the court wishes to know is, if any one has been reporting circumstances _unfavourable_ to Mary Monson in your presence?” “Or in her _favour_,” put in Williams, with a sneer. “Juror,” interposed the judge—“tell us if any one has spoken to you on the merits of this case—for or against?”