for
saving the house from fire--something of that sort. As told to me, it
sounded rather heroical. But, sir--" he turned again to the Chairman--"
I suggest that all this does not affect my plea. Whatever her offence,
she has suffered cruelly. She is physically unfit to bear this second
punishment; and when I tell you on my word as a gentleman--or on oath,
if you will--that on Saturday I found her grandparent starving and that
her second offence was committed presumably to supply the household
wants, surely I shall not entreat your mercy in vain?"

The Chief Magistrate hesitated, and a frown showed his annoyance.
"To tell you the truth, Captain Vyell, you put me in a quandary.
I do not like to refuse you--" Here he glanced right and left.

"But it can't be done," snapped Mr. Trask. Mr. Wapshott, sitting just
beyond, shook his head gently and--as he hoped--unperceived by the
Collector.

"You see, sir," explained Mr. Bellingham with a sigh, "we sit here to
administer justice without fear or favour. You see also to what scandal
it might give rise if a culprit--merely on the intercession of a
gentleman like yourself--influential--er--and, in short--"

"--In short, sir," the Collector broke in, "you have in the name of
justice committed one damnable atrocity upon this child, and plead your
cowardice as an excuse for committing another. Influential, am I?
And you prate to me of not being affected by that? Very well; I'll take
you at your word. This girl resisted your ruffian in the discharge of
his duty? So did I just now, and with such effect that he will resume
it neither to-day nor to-morrow. She inflicted, it appears, a slight
graze on his chin. I inflicted two cuts on his face and knocked in
three of his teeth. You can take cognisance of _my_ wounding, I promise
you. Now, sir, will you whip _me_ through your town?"

"This is mere violence, sir." Mr. Bellingham's face was flushed, but he
answered with dignity. "The law is as little to be exasperated as
defied."

"I will try you in another way, then," said the Collector, recovering
grip of his temper and dropping his voice to a tone of politest
insolence. "It is understood that you have not the courage to do this
because, seated here and administering what you call justice, you have,
each one of you, an eye upon England and preferment, and you know well
enough that to touch me would play the devil among the tailors with your
little ambitions. I ex