Mr Railsford entered the court as a spectator, and was accommodated with a seat on the bench, beside the judge. At the same moment, Barnworth, having ended his questions, Arthur Herapath, junior counsel for the defence, rose to his feet, and said,—
“Now, Sir William Tomkins, Baronet, have the goodness to look at me and answer a few questions. I would advise you to be careful.”
The baronet replied by putting his tongue in his cheek, and giving a pantomimic wave of his fist in the direction of the learned counsel.
“Now, Sir William Tomkins, Baronet, how old are you, my lad?”
“Find out,” said Sir William hotly.
“That’s what I mean to do. Answer me, sir, or I’ll get the beak to run you in for contempt of court.”
“Come and do it,” said the witness, red in the face.
Here the judge again interposed.
“The learned junior must confine himself to the case before us, or I shall have to ask Mr Felgate to conduct the cross-examination.”
“All serene, my lord,” rejoined the learned junior, who was thoroughly enjoying himself. “Of course, if your lordship think the question’s not important I won’t press it against your lordship’s desire. I’m obliged to your lordship for your lordship’s advice, and I’ll pull your nose, Dimsdale”—this was in a parenthesis—“if you don’t shut up. Now, Sir William Tomkins, Baronet, you say you saw the prisoner pulled out of the sack?”