"I want to hear the other side," he remarked. "The mere fact that the defendant put up a sign warning the public against the dog may be taken as some evidence that he had knowledge of the animal's vicious propensities. I shall let the case go to the jury unless this evidence is contradicted or explained. Reserve your motion." "Very well, Your Honor," agreed Tutt, patting himself upon the abdomen. "I will follow your suggestion and call the defendant. Mr. Appleboy, take the stand." Mr. Appleboy heavily rose and the heart of every fat man upon the jury, and particularly that of the Abyssinian brother upon the back row, went out to him. For just as they had known without being told that the new Mrs. Tunnygate was a vixen, they realized that Appleboy was a kind, good-natured man--a little soft, perhaps, like his clams, but no more dangerous. Moreover, it was plain that he had suffered and was, indeed, still suffering, and they had pity for him. Appleboy's voice shook and so did the rest of his person as he recounted his ancient friendship for Tunnygate and their piscatorial association, their common matrimonial experiences, the sudden change in the temperature of the society of Throggs Neck, the malicious destruction of their property and the unexplained aggressions of Tunnygate upon the lawn. And the jury, believing, understood. Then like the sword of Damocles the bessemer voice of Pepperill severed the general atmosphere of amiability: "Where did you get that dog?" Mr. Appleboy looked round helplessly, distress pictured in every feature. "My wife's aunt lent it to us." "How did she come to lend it to you?" "Bashemath wrote and asked for it." "Oh! Did you know anything about the dog before you sent for it?" "Of your own knowledge?" interjected Tutt sharply. "Oh, no!" returned Appleboy. "Didn't you know it was a vicious beast?" sharply challenged Pepperill. "Of your own knowledge?" again warned Tutt. "I'd never seen the dog." "Didn't your wife tell you about it?" Tutt sprang to his feet, wildly waving his arms: "I object; on the ground that what passed between husband and wife upon this subject must be regarded as confidential." "I will so rule," said Judge Witherspoon, smiling. "Excluded." Pepperill shrugged his shoulders. "I would like to ask a question," interpolated the editor of Baby's World. "Do!" exclaimed Tutt eagerly. The editor, who was a fat editor, rose in an embarrassed manner. "Mr. Appleboy!" he began. "Yes, sir!" responded Appleboy. "I want to get this straight. You and your wife had a row with the Tunnygates. He tried to tear up your front lawn. You warned him off. He kept on doing it. You got a dog and put up a sign and when he disregarded it you sicked the dog on him. Is that right?" He was manifestly friendly, merely a bit cloudy in the cerebellum. The Abyssinian brother pulled him sharply by the coat tails. "Sit down," he whispered hoarsely. "You're gumming it all up."