“Did the prisoner tell you who he was, or give you any description of him?” “A meagre description--simply that he wore an overcoat, and was about my size;” and the doctor smiled as he mentioned the last item. “Did he say it was you?” “Of course not.” “Well, did he say who he was?” “He did not; that is, he didn’t say in so many words who the person was.” “Go on, Dr. Bilks.” “I think I mentioned the names of several persons.” “Whose names did you mention?” demanded the attorney, impatiently. “I mentioned Mr. Hungerford’s first.” “Well?” Dr. Bilks was a slow witness. It was evident that he did not like to implicate any person in the business of making a contract with Buckstone, which must soon be apparent. “The prisoner was positive that Mr. Hungerford was not the person,” added the doctor. “What other name did you mention?” “I mentioned Mr. Birch’s;” and the doctor gave a very elaborate explanation of the reasons which had led him to use Dick’s name in this connection, which, of course, included the whole matter of the plan by which Buckstone was to be induced to marry Mary in Poppleton. “For the reason that Mr. Birch intended to do what the stranger on the island appeared to be doing, I concluded the person must be Mr. Birch.” “What did the person on the island appear to be doing?” Dr. Bilks related what Ross had reported to him about the “intentions” of Buckstone, and the “consideration” which the stranger offered. It looked like a plain case, and everybody was fully satisfied that Dick Birch was the mysterious personage who had gone to The Great Bell with the murdered man. “What did the prisoner say when you mentioned the name of Mr. Birch?” continued the attorney. “He was satisfied that Mr. Birch was the person;” which was quite true. Other evidence of less importance was elicited from Dr. Bilks, and when the “direct” was finished, he was turned over to the prisoner’s counsel for cross-examination. The doctor had certainly behaved like an honest witness. He had exhibited a great deal of delicacy and sensitiveness when compelled to use the names of those who were understood to be his friends, and the impression produced by him thus far was decidedly favorable. To the surprise of many, and of none more than Dr. Bilks himself, Mr. Birch was intrusted with the task of cross-examining him. Dick was courteous, and the doctor was steady, so that the questions and answers flowed very smoothly for some time, without disclosing anything new or startling. “You were at home, Dr. Bilks, when the prisoner came for you to attend his sister?” said Dick. “I was.” “What time was it?” “About two o’clock in the morning, or a little later.” “You were in bed then?” “No, sir.” “Were you up at that hour in the morning?” “I was.” “Do you usually sit up all night?” asked Dick, facetiously. “Not usually.” “Did you on this occasion?” “I did--until about five o’clock.”