is and the
clerk, he finally gained the stand, where he stood gazing around with
the most friendly expression on his face.

For some reason no question was asked immediately, and after waiting two
or three moments, Dan, believing the judge was ready to hear his story,
began earnestly:

"You see, it's jest this way: Jip, he didn't count on doin' anything off
color, an' if it hadn't been for Sam Barney----"

"Silence in the court!" the crier called, and Dan looked up in surprise
at being interrupted so soon.

"He didn't reckon on bein'----"

Dan stopped again as the same voice called loudly for silence in the
court, and then the attorney employed to defend Jip explained matters by
saying:

"You must wait until you are questioned, Daniel. There will be ample
opportunity to give your evidence."

"Dan ain't goin' to let any chance slip him," Bill Dean whispered
confidentially to Seth, and Sam Barney said in a tone sufficiently loud
to be heard by those immediately behind him:

"He's a reg'lar chump, else he'd know enough to behave hisself on the
witness-stand."

"He'll behave himself outside on the sidewalk in a way you won't like if
you shoot off your mouth too much," Bill whispered, and Seth shook his
friend's arm warningly lest he disturb the court by his threats.

'Lish Davis evidently saw that there was bad blood between the alleged
detective and Seth's roommate, and at once forced the boys on the front
seat to move nearer together until he had room to sit where he could
keep all of them under his eye, a proceeding which caused the amateur
fireman great relief of mind.

After what seemed like a long time in waiting, Jip's attorney asked the
witness:

"What is your name?"

Dan appeared surprised at such a question, and after some slight
hesitation replied:

"Why, I'm the feller you told to come here. Didn't you hear the man call
my name? This is where they said I was to stand."

The judge rapped smartly on the desk in front of him, and Dan turned
quickly to see what had happened.

"Answer properly the questions asked of you!"

"That's what----"

The attorney interrupted him by asking as before:

"What is your name?"

"It's Dan Roberts, of course, an' I was----"

"Are you acquainted with the prisoner?"

"Do you mean Jip? Why, of course I am; him an' me used to work together
when he lived with Seth Bartlett----"

"Answer only the questions asked of you!" the judge said sternly, and
for the