A few months passed and no trace of the body of the ill-fated young man having been found, Jasper, feeling he had cleared his way effectively, called at the Nun’s House (Miss Twinkleton’s Academy) one afternoon in the vacation, and taking Rosa unawares made passionate love to her. On being repulsed he vowed vengeance on Neville Landless—the man against whom he had already directed suspicion. So horrified was Rosa, she flew for safety to her guardian Mr. Grewgious at Staple Inn. A strict watch was kept upon Jasper by a person calling himself Mr. Datchery, with the result that he was eventually arrested. Gentlemen, that is the case put to you as briefly as possible—it is the case you have to try. We feel confident that the evidence we shall place before you will convince you that the prisoner has committed a foul crime, and that we can safely leave the issue to you. Painful as your duty may be, we look to you to give your verdict faithfully and fearlessly in the interests of justice and your fellow-men. * * * * * THE FOREMAN: My Lord, one word. Did I understand the learned gentleman to say that he was going to call evidence? MR. MATZ: Certainly. THE FOREMAN: Well, then, all I can say is, that if the learned gentleman thinks the convictions of a British jury are going to be influenced by evidence, he little knows his fellow countrymen! JUDGE: At the same time, in spite of this somewhat intemperate observation——[The remainder of his Lordship’s words were inaudible.] [EVIDENCE OF ANTHONY DURDLES.] MR. MATZ: Call Anthony Durdles. USHER: Anthony Durdles! [That gentleman immediately entered the witness-box.] CLERK OF ARRAIGNS: The evidence that you shall give before the Court and Jury, shall be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. MR. WALTERS: Your name is Durdles? WITNESS: Durdles is my name. MR. WALTERS: Do you always call yourself Durdles? WITNESS: I do; ’cause my name _is_ Durdles. MR. WALTERS: You are a stonemason, I believe? WITNESS: Ay; Durdles is a stonemason. MR. WALTERS: Would you mind telling us where you work? WITNESS: Durdles works anywhere he can, up and down, round about the Cathedral. MR. WALTERS: Round about the Cathedral. Thank you. Very good. Do you happen to know the prisoner, John Jasper? WITNESS: Ay; I knows John Jarsper. MR. WALTERS: And did you ever happen to meet him anywhere near the Cathedral? WITNESS: Yes; Durdles met Mister Jarsper near the Cathedral. MR. WALTERS: Perhaps you met him more than once? WITNESS: Twice. MR. WALTERS: You met him twice. What did you go with him to the Cathedral for? WITNESS: Well, sir; he—— MR. WALTERS: Yes: speak up, please. JUDGE: I must interpose. The witness cannot possibly know what Mr. Jasper went to the Cathedral for. MR. WALTERS: My Lord, with respectful submission to you, the prisoner might have told him. JUDGE: But for that purpose you must examine the prisoner in chief.