es of legal study, your worship," said
I, "and am happy to state that my opinion in the present instance will
not discredit the assertion. The case stands thus: I am employed by the
Honorable Captain De Courcy to perform a particular duty, which is of
the distinct nature of a trust; that trust, whose importance I do not
seek to extenuate in the slightest, I fail in. I will not plead the
strong temptation of a race and a great spectacle. I will not allege, as
perhaps I might, the example of my companions, then revelling in all the
pleasures of the day. I will simply say that no one fact can be adduced
to favor the suspicion of a meditated robbery; and that my conduct, so
palpably open and public, rejects the least assumption of the kind, and
at the utmost can establish nothing beyond what I am willing to plead
guilty to,--a breach of trust."

"Listen to the Attorney-General! By the hokey, it's himself they 've in
the dock!" said one.

"That's the chap can give them chapter and varse!" cried another.

"Silence there! Keep silence in the court!" said the justice, now really
warm with passion. "I'd have you to know, sirrah," said he, addressing
me, "that your pettifogging shrewdness is anything but favorable to you
in the unfortunate position in which you stand. I shall commit you
for trial, and would advise you--it is the only piece of advice I
'll trouble you with--to charge some more skilful advocate with your
defence, and not intrust it to the knavish flippancy of conceit and
chicanery."

"I mean to have counsel, your worship," said I, resolutely; for my blood
was up, and I would have argued with the twelve judges. "I mean to
have one of the first and most eminent at the bar for my defence. Mr.
Mansergh, of Merrion Square, will not refuse my brief when he sees the
fee I can offer him."

A regular roar of laughter filled the court; the impudence of my speech,
and my thus introducing the name of one of the very first men at the
bar, as likely to concern himself for such a miserable case and object,
was too much for any gravity; and when the magistrate turned to comment
upon my unparalleled assurance and impertinence to Captain De Courcy, he
discovered that the honorable captain had left his place.

Such was the fact! The dashing aide-de-camp was at that moment standing
in earnest converse with myself beside the dock.

"May I speak with this boy in another room, your worship?" said he,
addressing the court.

"Cer