Constable stands up.

"Were you following the prosecutor on the occasion when he was robbed
on Ludgate Hill? and did you see the prisoner put his hand into the
prosecutor's pocket and take this handkerchief out of it?"

"Yes, sir."

Judge to prisoner: "Nothing to say, I suppose?" Then to the jury:
"Gentlemen, I suppose you have no doubt? I have none."

Jury: "Guilty, my lord," as though to oblige his lordship.

Judge to prisoner: "Jones, we have met before--we shall not meet again
for some time--seven years' transportation. Next case."

Time: two minutes fifty-three seconds.

Perhaps this case was a high example of expedition, because it was not
always that a learned counsel could put his questions so neatly; but
it may be taken that these after-dinner trials did not occupy on the
average more than _four minutes_ each.




CHAPTER V.

MR. JUSTICE MAULE.