The tomatoes were brought in and hurriedly partaken of, as the time was running out.
‘I suppose you’ll sum up for a conviction, then?’ questioned the other judge, as he rose and put on his wig.
‘No, I shan’t,’ said Sir Daniel, helping his brother on with the purple-coloured garment which is worn in presiding over the civil court. ‘I shall just leave it to the jury. I don’t feel a bit satisfied, and I’m very glad, for once in my life, that I have got a jury to take the decision off my shoulders.’
And with these words he drew his own scarlet gown around him and, grasping a small square piece of silk in his left hand, strode back to his seat in court.
At his entrance the whole assemblage rose, including the prisoner, who had been brought back a minute before. Then a start of horror ran through them, and Eleanor’s calmness for a moment gave way in a faint gasp. For the object which the judge had just laid on the desk beside him was—the Black Cap.
CHAPTER VIII.
THE DEFENCE.
‘May it please your lordship. Before I go into the case for the prisoner, I have to submit that the Crown has not produced sufficient evidence to warrant a conviction.