Judge. Well, Gentlemen of the Jury, perhaps we had better, as a matter of form, have the prisoner before us. By the bye, where is the prisoner?
Usher (returning). I believe he's in the dog-box, m'lud. They had to put him there, he was so refractory in the guard's van.
Judge. That shows the advantages of this new way of going Circuit. A dog-box is just the sort of receptacle for a person accused of murder in the first class—I mean in the first degree. When do we get to Blankchester Junction?
Foreman. In a quarter of an hour, m'lud, by my time-tables. And I should like to say that most of the Jury wish to get out there—they feel the oscillations of this carriage so much. If your Lordship would sum up now—
Judge (with alacrity). Quite so. Blankchester is a convenient place for me to alight, I think.
[Sums up lucidly in about five minutes, and Jury at once brings in verdict of Guilty of Manslaughter.
Judge (surprised). Manslaughter, Gentlemen! Perhaps, after all, I was wrong in not summing up in the Booking-Office. It would have given time for more consideration. [Awful collision occurs.
Judge (at bottom of an embankment). Usher, Usher! I haven't pronounced sentence yet! Bring the prisoner before me!
Usher (wounded). Beg your Lordship's pardon—prisoner's escaped!
Judge. Escaped? Well, I can sentence him in his absence quite as well. Oh, dear, my back is bad! Those law-books came down on the top of me, I believe. The sentence of the Court is that the prisoner be imprisoned, when found, for three years.