"Yes, that is the hat. I will swear to it."
"Whose hat is it, or was it?"
"It belonged to Mr. Thornhill, who wore it on the day he left the ship to go into the city with the String of Pearls."
"That is all then, Mr. Fletcher, that we need trouble you with at present."
The judge now interposed; and in a mild voice addressing Todd, he said—
"It is not too late for you to consent to the appointment of counsel to watch your case. I dare say some gentleman of the bar will volunteer to do so."
"With the prisoner's consent," said a counsel, who was sitting at the table below the judge, "I will attend to the case."
"Be it so," said Todd, gloomily.
Upon this the counsel rose, and addressing the captain of the ship, who had not yet left the witness-box, he said to him—
"Mr. Fletcher, how is it that you can so positively identify this hat of the alleged murdered Mr. Thornhill, after such a space of time?"