(_A Natural Development of the Modern System of Suppression._)
SCENE--_Interior of one of the Royal Courts. Customary
occupants and surroundings._ Witness _in the box undergoing
cross-examination_.
_First Counsel._ And now will you give me the name of the person you
met on that occasion?
_Second Counsel._ I do not wish to interfere without reason; but
surely it is unnecessary to introduce third parties into this inquiry.
_Witness._ Perhaps I might follow the plan I adopted in my
examination-in-chief and write the name on a piece of paper?
_The Judge._ That seems a reasonable course to pursue.
_First Counsel._ As your Lordship pleases. Then be so good as to give
me the name as suggested. (Witness _complies_.) Thank you. (_After
reading the paper._) Do you spell the name with a final "e"?
_Second Counsel._ Really, my learned friend is carrying matters too
far. If the anonymity of third parties is to be preserved, such a
leading question would reveal the identity at once.
_The Judge._ I suppose you mean that the query about the final "e"
would indicate that the veiled name was "BROWNE."
_Second Counsel._ Quite so, my lord; that is a conclusion that would
be accepted by persons of the most ordinary intelligence.
_First Counsel._ But as a matter of fact, the name to which I refer
is certainly neither BROWN nor BROWNE. I will submit the paper to your
lordship.
_The Judge_ (_after perusing the slip which has been handed to him by
an usher_). Dear me! I am greatly surprised!
_Foreman of the Jury._ May we, my lord, learn the name?
_First Counsel._ So far as I am concerned, I shall be only too pleased
to allow the Gentlemen of the Jury to have the fullest information on
the point.
_Second Counsel._ If I object, it is not because I have not the
greatest confidence in the Jury's discretion, but simply as a matter
of principle.
_First Counsel._ I do not see how the affair is a matter of principle,
but if my learned friend objects I have no wish to push the point
further. (_Turning to_ Witness.) And now, where did you meet this
person whose name we have arranged to leave undiscovered?
_Witness._ Perhaps you will allow me to write the locality on a piece
of paper and pass it round?
_The Judge._ I think we may do that.
_First Counsel._ As your Lordship pleases. (_Course suggested
pursued._) And now, have you ever seen any one else on the subject?
_Witness._ Certainly. (_Produces a scroll._) Here is a list. I have
purposely written their names in shorthand, so that they may only be
recognised by those who have a knowledge of PITMAN'S method.
_The Judge._ Certainly.
_First Counsel._ And that, my Lord, is my case.
[_Sits down._
_The Judge._ And now, Gentlemen, before we proceed further, I would
like to make a suggestion. When we commenced this trial we arranged
that the names of the Plaintiff and Defendant should not be made
public. Since then it seems to me that we should learn them. What do
you say, Gentlemen?
_Foreman of the Jury._ We share your Lordship's curiosity.
_The Judge_ (_addressing Counsel_). You hear.
_First Counsel_ (_after consultation with his opponent_). My Lord, I
need scarcely say that both my friend and myself are most anxious
to meet the wishes of your Lordship. But as this is a point of great
importance to our clients, we should like to have an opportunity
of consulting them. No doubt the names asked for might only have a
limited circulation--be known only to your Lordship and the Gentlemen
of the Jury. Still there are objections to even so partial a
publication as I have shadowed forth which make it most desirable
that we should have an opportunity of giving the matter our fullest
consideration. Perhaps we might adjourn until to-morrow morning?
_The Judge._ Oh, certainly, certainly.
[_Court consequently adjourns to meet the necessities of the
situation._
* * * * *
MOTTO FOR THE VINEYARD PROPRIETORS IN A CERTAIN CHAMPAGNE
DISTRICT.--"Make Ay while the sun shines."
* * * * *
[Illustration: THE OLD CRUSADERS!