Part 39 (1/2)

”Return punctually at seven, gentlemen, please; you are released till then.”

Any person who knows Nottingham and has to spend in that city two weary hours, between 5 o'clock and 7 p.m., wandering up and down that vast market-place, will understand the state of mind to which those special jurymen were reduced when they indulged in audible curses.

There was, however, an element in this condition of things which his lords.h.i.+p had not taken into consideration, and that was the _Bar_.

Several members were unnecessarily detained by this order of the court. Their mess was at the George Hotel; at seven they must be in court or within its precincts; at seven they dined. They chose the precincts, and sending for their butler, ordered the mess to be brought to the vacant Judge's room, the second Judge having gone away.

At seven the mess was provided, and those who were not engaged in court sat down with a good appet.i.te and a feeling of delightful exultation.

Meanwhile his lords.h.i.+p proceeded with his work, while the temperature was 84. Juries wiped their faces, and javelin-men leaned on their spears.

Now and then the sounds of revelry broke upon the ear as a door was opened.

At ten his lords.h.i.+p rose for a few moments, and on proceeding along the corridor towards his room for his cup of tea, several champagne bottles stood boldly in line before his eyes. He also saw two pairs of legs adorned with yellow stockings--legs of the Sheriff's footmen waiting to attend his lords.h.i.+p's carriage some hours hence.

The scene recalled the scenes of other days, and the old times of the Home Circuit came back. Should he adjourn and join the mess? No, no; he must not give way. He had his tea, and went back to court. He was not very well pleased with the cross-examination of the Irish advocate.

”Do you want the witness to contradict what he has said in your favour, Mr.----?”

”No, my lord.”

”Why do you cross-examine, then?”

Now the catch of an old circuit song was heard.

”Call your next witness, Mr. Jones. Why was not this case tried in the County Court?”

(Sounds of revelry from the Bar mess-room.)

”Keep that door shut!”

”May the witnesses go in the third case after this, my lord?”

”I don't know how long this case will last. I am here to do the work of--”

(”_Jolly good fellow_!” from the mess-room.)

”Keep that door shut!”

”What is your case, Mr.----?”

”It's slander, my lord--one butcher calling another a rogue; similar to the present case.”

”Does he justify?”

”Oh no, my lord.” It was now on the stroke of twelve.

”I don't know at what time your lords.h.i.+p proposes to rise.”

”Renew your application by-and-by.”