"Then, sir, it was your duty to have proclaimed it, and to have had steps taken to arrest your confederate, Rolls," interrupted the stern judge.
"But, my lord, I did not believe Arkell. I did not indeed," he added, endeavouring to impart to his tone an air of veracity, and therefore—as is sure to be the case—imparting to it just the contrary. "I could not believe that Rolls, or any one else in a respectable position, such he appeared to occupy, would be guilty of so felonious an action."
"The less excuse you make upon the point, the better," observed the judge.
For some few minutes Serjeant Siftem and his party had been conferring in whispers. The serjeant, at this stage, spoke.
"My lord, this revelation has come upon my instructors, Mynn and Mynn, with, the most utter surprise, and——"
"The man, Rolls, or Richards, is really clerk to Mynn and Mynn, I am informed," interrupted the judge, in as significant a tone as a presiding judge permits himself to assume.
"He was, my lord; but he will not be in future. They discard him from this hour. In fact, should he not make good his escape from the country, which it is more than likely he is already endeavouring to effect, he will probably at the next assizes find himself placed before your lordship for judgment, should you happen to come this circuit, and preside in the other court. But Mynn and Mynn wish to disclaim, in the most emphatic manner, all cognizance of this man's crime. They——"
"There is no charge to be brought against Mynn and Mynn in connexion with it, is there?" again interposed the judge.
"Most certainly not, my lord," replied the counsel, in a lofty tone, meant to impress the public ear.
"Then, Brother Siftem, it appears to me that you need not take up the time of the court to enter on their defence."