"Such a proposal is disgraceful--it ought not to be allowed to be made. Making of justice a mockery!"
Mr. Slater declined to be snubbed--at least by Mr. Plummer.
"Seems to me as if you don't quite know where you are. First you want to preach to the magistrates, then you want to preach to the jury; perhaps you think you're at the corner of High Street?"
There were those who smiled. The reference was to Mr. Plummer's fondness for open-air expositions of "the Word." Mr. Grice drummed with his fingers on the table.
"Come, gentlemen, come! we're wasting time. As business men we ought to know its value. Now, Mr. Longsett, I've too much faith in your integrity not to know that you're open to conviction. Tell us, where do you think the evidence for the prosecution is not sufficiently strong?" Mr. Longsett did not justify the foreman's faith by answering. "Be frank, on what point are you not satisfied?"
After more than momentary hesitation Mr. Longsett replied, without, however, raising his eyes.
"It's no use talking to me, Mr. Grice, so that's all about it. I say not guilty!"
Mr. Moss explained.
"The plain fact is, Mr. Foreman, Mr. Longsett is a relation of the prisoner; he ought not to have been on this jury at all."
This time Mr. Longsett did raise his eyes--and his voice too.