“'Ah, you say you know a dog when you see one?' asked Coke.
“'Yes,' said the witness, 'perfectly.'
“'Do you know two dogs when you see them, or even three?' asked Coke.
“'I do,' replied the witness.
“'And how many dogs did you see when you saw Cerberus?' asked Coke, triumphantly.
“'Three, anyhow,' replied the witness, with feeling, 'though afterwards I thought there was a whole bench-show atop of me.'
“'Your witness,' said Coke.
“A murmur of applause went through the court-room, at which Apollyon frowned; but his face cleared in a moment when Catiline rose up.
“'My cross-examination of this witness, your honor, will be confined to one question.' Then turning to the witness he said, blandly: 'My poor friend, if you considered Cerberus to be three dogs anyhow, why did you in your examination a moment since refer to the avalanche of caninity, of which you so affectingly speak, as him?'
“'He is a him,' said the witness.