"Yesterday, my Lord President, Mr. Pursuivant swore, with equal assurance, as to the identity of Mr. William Jefferay with his assailant. We know now that he was mistaken,—may he not err in the present case?"
The Pursuivant rose again hastily and, bowing to the President, said—
"May I answer His Eminence the Cardinal, my Lord?"
The Earl of Arundel bowed assent, and the Pursuivant proceeded to explain his first error.
"Yesterday, my lords, I was not aware of the extraordinary likeness which exists between the twin brothers Mr. William and Mr. Ralph Jefferay, a likeness so wonderful that no man may tell them apart but by some sign or symbol. One of my witnesses, who is a Lewes man and knows the Jefferays well by sight, informed me of this fact when the verdict of acquittal was given in this Court yesterday. The sign of distinction between the brothers is a very simple one—Mr. William always wears a grey cap and Mr. Ralph a blue one. Now on the occasion of the assault I solemnly swore that my assailant, Ralph Jefferay, the prisoner, wore a grey cap, whether by design or accident I cannot say, hence the mistake of identity."
The Pursuivant sat down with a malignant gleam of satisfaction in his fierce black eyes.
There was silence in the Court and the judges consulted with each other; presently the Chancellor spoke.
"The Court would fain see these wonderful brothers side by side," he said. "Is Mr. William Jefferay here?"
The Clerk of the Court beckoned to Sir John Jefferay, who stood near to him, and, after a brief conversation, said—
"Mr. William Jefferay is now at Gray's Inn, but he can be brought hither in a short time, my lord."