"You have already ruled, my lord," said Rodwell.
"This is another one," said I; "but if it's regular to keep objecting before the prisoner's counsel has a chance of putting his question, I sit down, my lord. I shall be allowed, probably, to address the jury—that is, if Mr. Rodwell does not object."
The noble Marquis, on seeing my distress, said,—
"Mr. Hawkins, the question needs no answer from the policeman; you will get the benefit of it for what it is worth. The jury will draw their own conclusions from Mr. Rodwell's objections."
As they did upon the whole case, for they acquitted, much to Mr.
Rodwell's annoyance.
"Now," said the Marquis, "let the officer stand back. I want to ask what the Baron really did say when he let this man out on bail."
"My lord," answered the witness, "his lordship said as how he looked upon the whole lot as a gang of thieves."
"You've got it now," said Rodwell.
"And so have you," said I. "You should not have objected, and then you would have got the answer he has just given."