an more thoroughly
under the influence of conscience as to his conduct than was Lord
Fawn in reference to the evidence which he was called upon to give.
Not only would the idea of endangering the life of a human being have
been horrible to him, but the sanctity of an oath was imperative to
him. He was essentially a truth-speaking man, if only he knew how
to speak the truth. He would have sacrificed much to establish the
innocence of Phineas Finn,--not for the love of Phineas, but for
the love of innocence;--but not even to do that would he have lied.
But he was a bad witness, and by his slowness, and by a certain
unsustained pomposity which was natural to him, had already taught
the jury to think that he was anxious to convict the prisoner. Two
men in the Court, and two only, thoroughly understood his condition.
Mr. Chaffanbrass saw it all, and intended without the slightest
scruple to take advantage of it. And the Chief Justice saw it all,
and was already resolving how he could set the witness right with the
jury.

"I didn't think of Mr. Finn at the time," said Lord Fawn in answer to
the last question.

"So I understand. The man didn't strike you as being tall."

"I don't think that he did."

"But yet in the evidence you gave before the magistrate in Bow Street
I think you expressed a very strong opinion that the man you saw
running out of the mews was Mr. Finn?" Lord Fawn was again silent. "I
am asking your lordship a question to which I must request an answer.
Here is the _Times_ report of the examination, with which you can
refresh your memory, and you are of course aware that it was mainly
on your evidence as here reported that my client stands there in
jeopardy of his life."

"I am not aware of anything of the kind," said the witness.

"Very well. We will drop that then. But such was your evidence,
whether important or not important. Of course your lordship can take
what time you please for recollection."

Lord Fawn tried very hard to recollect, but would not look at the
newspaper which had been handed to him. "I cannot remember what words
I used. It seems to me that I thought it must have been Mr. Finn
because I had been told that Mr. Finn could have been there by
running round."

"Surely, my lord, that would not have sufficed to induce you to give
such evidence as is there reported?"

"And the colour of the coat," said Lord Fawn.

"In fact you went by the colour of the coat, and that only?"

"The