being elicited from the witnesses.

He did not know why it was, but he seemed to be the only man in the
court who was unmoved by what was taking place. On every hand was
strained attention to every word that was spoken. The most
insignificant question seemed to be carefully noted, not only by the
jury but by the spectators. But to Paul there was a sense of unreality
in everything. All these same questions he had heard before. All
these witnesses had appeared at the Coroner's inquest and before the
Brunford magistrates. It seemed to him, too, that the way the counsel
for the prosecution dwelt on insignificant details, details which could
have nothing whatever to do with the real issues, was childish.
Indeed, Mr. Bakewell appeared not only to have a positive genius for,
but also a personal interest in, dragging out the case as long as
possible. In a way Paul supposed it was necessary to inquire into the
minutest details concerning the evidence that was given, nevertheless,
it was wearying in the extreme. As far as he could judge, too, both
counsel and witnesses were supremely anxious to acquit themselves in a
way that should give satisfaction to the spectators. It was a matter
of intellectual juggling rather than a desire to arrive at the truth.
The counsel evidently hoped that his examination would be commented
upon as clever and searching, while the witnesses, aware that the eyes
of the many who knew them watched them closely, were eager to be spoken
of as having acquitted themselves with some amount of distinction.
Hours passed away, and, it seemed to him, they failed to get at the
heart of the case, while such a large amount of irrelevant matter was
allowed and discussed that, from the standpoint of a spectator, it
seemed to the prisoner that the methods of an English law-court needed
to be rigidly revised. During the afternoon sitting, however, they got
nearer to the heart of things. The counsel began to ask questions
which had a vital bearing upon the case, and, as a consequence, the
attention of all present became more tense. It was then that Paul
could not help feeling that the judge had already made up his mind.
During that part of the proceedings when he had advised him to obtain
counsel to defend him, and told him that he was at liberty to
cross-examine the witnesses, he felt more kindly towards him. There
seemed a desire to do him justice, and to give him every chance to put
his own case in the be