ssing
Paul on the previous day were now discussing his father.

"Did you ever dream of such a thing?"

"Well," was the reply. "When I come to think of it, there is a
resemblance between them."

"How can you say that? The prisoner is tall, dark; he has black hair
and black eyes, while Judge Bolitho is florid and has light hair."

"No; but their features are the same. Do you know, after all, there's
something in blood. No one can help seeing that Stepaside is a
gentleman."

"Why, I thought you said before that his common blood showed itself."

"My dear, you misunderstood me. See the way he has risen in the world.
I am told that Judge Bolitho comes from one of the oldest families in
the West of England, and family tells, my dear, family tells!"

"But just think of it! Would you have believed that a proud man like
Judge Bolitho would have stood up and made such a revelation to a
gaping crowd like this?"

"Conscience, my dear, conscience!"

"Yes; but what about his conscience during the years? I tell you we've
not seen the end of this business yet. Can't you see the
complications?"

"Do you know, I've often been tempted to invite Stepaside to my house.
I wish I had now; he must be an interesting man."

"They'll never hang him after this. Do you think so?"

"I don't know. If these things had come to light a few days ago,
before the trial commenced, they might have hushed it up; but I don't
see how they can now."

"But wasn't it tremendously exciting. I wouldn't have missed it for
anything. I felt a shiver down my back all the time the judge was
speaking. What a splendid scene for a play!"

And so they continued talking. The real deep issues of the case were
as nothing. To them it was an event which interested them beyond
words. It fed their love for excitement, and promised to be a subject
of conversation for many days to come.

Meanwhile the barristers had gathered together in excited groups. They
discussed the matter in an entirely different way. To them the case
was everything, and they fastened upon all the legal difficulties which
might arise. More than one wondered, too, whether out of such a
maelstrom of events work would not be bound to fall to them.

"Who will be appointed judge, I wonder?" said one.

"Oh, Branscombe, I expect."

"I wonder whether Stepaside had some inkling of the truth. Perhaps
that was the reason he refused to engage counsel."

"Do you think Stepaside kn