pleased with his work, was preparing
to examine witnesses to prove the prisoner's arrival at Canvas Town on
the night of the murder, when there arose a considerable commotion
amongst the public, by reason of a wild, unshorn man pushing his way
violently towards the barrier. The Police Sergeant and his constables
cried, "Silence in the Court!" but amid noisy protestations from the
crowd, the ragged, struggling figure reached the barrier, vaulted over
it, and stood on the floor of the Court. The barristers rose to stare at
the extraordinary figure; the Judge, open-mouthed with astonishment,
glared at everybody generally; the Sergeant made three strides towards
the intruder, and seized him roughly by the arm.

"I desire to give evidence!" cried the disturber of the proceedings. "I
wish to be sworn."

With his clothes in tatters and earth-stained, his boots burst at the
seams and almost falling to pieces, his hair long and tangled, his beard
dirty and unkempt, thus, in a state of utter disreputableness, he
unflinchingly faced the Court; and the crowd, forgetful of the prisoner,
Judge, and jury, gave its whole attention to him.

Beckoning with his hand, the Judge said, "Bring this man forward. Place
him where I can see him."

The Police Sergeant led the would-be witness to the space between the
dock and the jury-box.

"Now, my man," said the Judge, "I imagine that you wish to say
something. Do you wish to give evidence bearing on this case?"

"I do, Your Honour."

"Then let me warn you that if what you have to say should prove
frivolous or vexatious, you will be committed for disturbing the Court."

"If what I have to say is irrelevant, I shall be willing to go to gaol."

The Judge looked at this ragged man who used such long words, and said
sternly, "You had better be careful, sir, exceedingly careful. What is
your name?"

"Benjamin Tresco."

"Oh, indeed. Very good. T-r-e-s-c-o-e, I presume," remarked the Judge,
making a note of the name.

"No, T-r-e-s-c-o."

"No 'e'?"

"No, Your Honour; no 'e'."

"Benjamin Tresco, of what nature is the evidence you desire to give?"

"It tends to the furtherance of Justice, Your Honour."

"Does it bear on this case? Does it deal with the murder of Isaac Zahn?"

"It does."

"Would it be given on behalf of the Crown, or on behalf of the
prisoner?"

"I can't say. It has no bearing on the prisoner, except indirectly. It
affects the Crown, perhaps--the Crown always de