have been any mistake or
erroneous procedure in the Court, other than such error on the part
of the prosecution in regard to the alleged guilt of the prisoner
as it was the general and special duty of jurors to remedy. Then he
endeavoured to reconcile them to their sacrifice by describing the
importance and glorious British nature of their position. "My lord,"
said one of the jurors, "if you was a salesman, and hadn't got no
partner, only a very young 'un, you'd know what it was to be kept
out of your business for a fortnight." Then that salesman wagged his
head, and put his handkerchief up to his eyes, and there was pity
also for him in the Court.

After that the Attorney-General went on. His learned friend on
the other side,--and he nodded to Mr. Chaffanbrass,--had got some
further evidence to submit to them on behalf of the prisoner who was
still on his trial before them. He now addressed them with the view
of explaining to them that if that evidence should be such as he
believed, it would become his duty on behalf of the Crown to join
with his learned friend in requesting the Court to direct the jury
to acquit the prisoner. Not the less on that account would it be the
duty of the jury to form their own opinion as to the credibility of
the fresh evidence which would be brought before them.

"There won't be much doubt about the credibility," said Mr.
Chaffanbrass, rising in his place. "I am not a bit afraid about the
credibility, gentlemen; and I don't think that you need be afraid
either. You must understand, gentlemen, that I am now going on
calling evidence for the defence. My last witness was the Right
Honourable Mr. Monk, who spoke as to character. My next will be a
Bohemian blacksmith named Praska,--Peter Praska,--who naturally can't
speak a word of English, and unfortunately can't speak a word of
German either. But we have got an interpreter, and I daresay we shall
find out without much delay what Peter Praska has to tell us." Then
Peter Praska was handed up to the rostrum for the witnesses, and the
man learned in Czech and also in English was placed close to him, and
sworn to give a true interpretation.

Mealyus the unfortunate one was also in Court, brought in between
two policemen, and the Bohemian blacksmith swore that he had made a
certain key on the instructions of the man he now saw. The reader
need not be further troubled with all the details of the evidence
about the key. It was clearly proved that