To the amazement of all present, Saul Braintree, who had just entered, now walked up toward the justices, and stood within three paces of the table, behind which their chairs were placed. Old Stapleton was still on his legs; and, with a vacant and almost idiotic stare, turned from Martin, on whom he had been gazing, to the weather-beaten face of Saul. “'Tis you ha' done all this mischief, 'zquire,” pursued Braintree; “Oh! you used I--but, it doan't matter--Meg, too, to play zuch a trick, and not tell me o't!--Master Martin, zhe didn't do as I tould her; but never, avore this night, did I know I'd been made zuch a vool ov!--Your horse vailed lame as a cat wi' me, coming back; but you'll vorgi'e me, I do know, vor bringing'ee zuch news. I bean't your vather;--there--there, it do zeem, he stands: 'zquire, this be, truly, your zon; mine be in irons; but I'll vree un! I'll vree un!” repeated he, raising his voice suddenly to a high pitch; “he sha'n't bide there long! I be bad enough, vor zure and zartin; but I can't let un die vor I!--Oh! I be beat out and out!--Tell ee I can't ztand it; zo, justice, take my convession.” Borfield touched the elbow of Stapleton, who was now totally inattentive to the scene before him, and affectionately embracing Martin. “Take the pen, sir,” said Borfield; “and, prisoner, reflect a moment on what you are about to do: you are in a state of great excitation; we are willing to hear you; but, I repeat,--be cautious!” “Cautious!--cautious, d'ye zay?--No, I won't! Caution's been the ruin o' me. Caution doan't zeem to I to be any use in theze parts. I ha' zeed men wi' no more forecast than chilver hogs, do well all their lives, and keep out o' harm's way, vlourish-ing like trees:--now I ha' been as cautious as a cat, and you do zee what I be come to.” “I cannot write, indeed, Mr. Borfield;--I cannot write a word:--you must excuse me,” said Stapleton, throwing down the pen. “Well, well, then, as we've no clerk, and I have written nothing but my name these seven years,” said Borfield, offering the pen to young Stapleton, “suppose, Master Martin, you take down the prisoner's confession.” “Pardon me, sir,” said Martin; “_that_ I never will do.” “Then we must adjourn the examination for an hour,” said Borfield; “let the prisoner be searched, and conveyed to a place of security. I will specially swear in the earth-stopper and my man to assist you, Abel; my man shall remain in the room with you, and the earth-stopper may watch outside the door: be attentive, earth-stopper.” “And above all things,” added Abel, “take care that his dog don't get in.”