“You are both complainants? Why, I understood it was Dr. Maxwell’s house that was burglarized.”
“So it was,” said Mr. Walker quickly.
“Then Dr. Maxwell is the complainant. Is he present?”
“He has got to see a sick lady,” explained Silas Martin, the doctor’s hired man, as he stood up in the back of the room, blushing very much at the notice he attracted.
“Ah, in that case we will proceed without him, and we can have his evidence later. A doctor is privileged to stay away from court, to attend the sick, as laid down in the Atlantic Reporter, 638, Barker versus Sanderson, but for no other cause. Otherwise I should have had to commit Dr. Maxwell for contempt of court.”
There was a sort of gasp at this, as the Squire intended there should be, for, as he thought, it showed his power.
“Meanwhile we will proceed with the case. I will hear the evidence of the two representatives of the law.”
The constables straightened up in their chairs at thus hearing themselves mentioned.
At that moment Mr. Harrison, the blacksmith, went over and took a seat beside Dan.
“Here!” exclaimed the Judge. “What are you doing? You have no right there.”