"High up in Fleet Street," burst from the Court, who knew the phrase quite as well as the refrain by this time, and could not have sung it better if they had practised it.
"One trouble alone caused him dismay,"
"Chilblains in Fleet Street," came the chorus, which drowned Ridgwell's last notes entirely.
Frantic applause in Court, which the Judge instantly suppressed.
"If," said his Lordship, forgetful of the fact that he himself had helped in the scene by beating time, "if I have any more of this disgraceful disturbance in Court I shall give orders for it to be instantly cleared."
"Thank you, that will do. You can step down now, Ridgwell," said Mr.
Gentle Gammon.
"And very well sung," observed his Lordship, as Ridgwell departed.
The next witnesses were called, Cissie Laurie and John Bowling.
"Are you sure you have those names correctly?" asked the Judge.
"Yes, my Lord; why?"