es Cheel and Mrs. Rocliffe said. What mother
would not do the same? As for those two men, Thomas and Samuel
Rocliffe, they never saw her knock down Jonas Kink, for the good
reason that she was holding the baby, and couldn't do it. But
when she told him, he was seeking his child's life--all for the
money left it--then he stumbled back, and fell into the kiln--not
guilty. If I sit here till I starve you all--not guilty."

"But, sir, what you state did not come out in the evidence."

"Did it not? So much the worse for the case. It wasn't properly got
up. I'll tell you what, gents, if you and me can't agree, then
after a time the jury will be dismissed, and the whole case will
have to be tried again. Then the evidence will come up that you
think you haven't heard now, and she'll be acquitted, and every
one will say of this jury--that we were a parcel of noodles."

"Well, sir, not guilty," said the foreman. "What do you say, Mr.
Lilliwhite?"

"Sir," answered the gentleman addressed, "I'd like to know what
the cost to the county will be of an execution. I say it can't be
done under a hundred pounds, if you calculate the carpentering and
the timber, and the fees, and the payment of the constables to keep
order, and of the hangman. I say it ain't worth it. There'll be
another farthing stuck on the rates, all along of this young woman.
I'm again' it. Not guilty. Let 'er go."

"And I," said the next juryman, "am averse to capital punishment. I
wrote a little tract on the subject. I do not know if any of you
gentlemen have seen it. I have copies in my pocket. I shall be happy
to present each of you with a copy. I couldn't possibly say guilty
and deliver her over to a violent death, without controverting my
published opinions, and, so to speak, stultifying myself. So,
really, sir, I must positively say not guilty, and would say as
much on behalf of the most ferocious murderer, of Blue Beard
himself, rather than admit anything which might lead to a sentence
of capital punishment. Not guilty."

Nearly an hour and a half elapsed before the jury returned to the
court. It was clear that there had been differences of opinion,
and some difficulty in overcoming these, and bringing all the
twelve, if not to one mind, at all events to one voice.

A silence fell on the whole court.

Mehetabel who had been allowed a seat, rose, and stood pale as
death, with her eyes fixed on the jurymen, as they filed in.

The foreman stepped forwa