d our
hero therefore sat down and wrote a detailed account of the whole
transaction (as communicated to him by Mr S---), which he despatched to
Portsmouth. He made inquiries, and found that the sessions would come
on in a fortnight, and that the grand jury would sit in a few days. He
therefore made up his mind that he would not think of returning to
Portsmouth until the trial was over, and in his next letter he made
known his intentions, and then set off for Richmond, where he had been
advised to remain for a short time, as being more favourable to an
invalid than the confined atmosphere of London.

Our hero found amusement in rowing about in a wherry, up and down the
river, and replying to the letters received from Mary and from
Portsmouth. He also received a letter from Mr S---, informing him of
his marriage, and requesting that as soon as the trial was over he would
write to him. Our hero's health also was nearly re-established, when he
was informed that his attendance was required at the court to give his
evidence in the case of manslaughter found by the grand jury against
Joseph, the brother of Miriam.

He arrived in town, and attended the court on the following day, when
the trial was to take place. A short time after the cause came on he
was placed in the witness-box. At the time that he gave his depositions
before the magistrate he had not thought about his name having been
changed; but now that he was sworn, and had declared he would tell the
truth, and nothing but the truth, when the counsel asked him if his name
was not Joseph O'Donahue, our hero replied that it was Joseph Rushbrook.

"Your deposition says Joseph O'Donahue. How is this? Have you an
_alias_, like many others, sir?" inquired the counsel.

"My real name is Rushbrook, but I have been called O'Donahue for some
time," replied our hero.

This reply was the occasion of the opposite counsel making some very
severe remarks; but the evidence of our hero was taken, and was indeed
considered very favourable to the prisoner, as Joey stated that he was
convinced the blow was never intended for the unfortunate waiter, but
for Mr S---.

After about an hour's examination our hero was dismissed, and in case
that he might be recalled, returned as directed to the room where the
witnesses were assembled.

CHAPTER FORTY FOUR.

IN WHICH THE TIDE OF FORTUNE TURNS AGAINST OUR HERO.

As soon as Joey had been dismissed from the witness-box he retu