第2章

CHAPTERIV

SUPERNATURALCHRONOMETRY

Rowenawasdiningout，JoeandHarrywerebelatedatplay，therewerebutthreechairsandfourpersonsthatnoonatthehomedinner-table——

thetwins，thewidow，andherchum，AuntBetsyHale。ThewidowsoonperceivedthatAngelo’sspiritswereaslowasLuigi’swerehigh，andalsothathehadajadedlook。Hermotherlysolicitudewasaroused，andshetriedtogethiminterestedinthetalkandwinhimtoahappierframeofmind，butthecloudofsadnessremainedonhiscountenance。

Luigilenthishelp，too。Heusedaformandaphrasewhichhewasalwaysaccustomedtoemployinthesecircumstances。Hegavehisbrotheranaffectionateslapontheshoulderandsaid，encouragingly：

"Cheerup，theworstisyettocome！"

Butthisdidnogood。Itneverdid。Ifanything，itmadethematterworse，asarule，becauseitirritatedAngelo。ThismadeitafavoritewithLuigi。Byandbythewidowsaid：

"Angelo，youaretired，you’veoverdoneyourself；yougorighttobedafterdinner，andgetagoodnapandarest，thenyou’llbeallright。"

"Indeed，IwouldgiveanythingifIcoulddothat，madam。"

"Andwhat’stohender，I’dliketoknow？Land，theroom’syourstodowhatyoupleasewith！Theideathatyoucan’tdowhatyoulikewithyourown！"

"But，yousee，there’soneprimeessential——anessentialoftheveryfirstimportance——whichisn’tmyown。"

"Whatisthat？"

"Mybody。"

Theoldladieslookedpuzzled，andAuntBetsyHalesaid：

"Whyblessyourheart，howisthat？"

"It’smybrother’s。"

"Yourbrother’s！Idon’tquiteunderstand。Isupposeditbelongedtobothofyou。"

"Soitdoes。Butnottobothatthesametime。"

"Thatismightycurious；Idon’tseehowitcanbe。Ishouldn’tthinkitcouldbemanagedthatway。"

"Oh，it’sagoodenougharrangement，andgoesverywell；infact，itwouldn’tdotohaveitotherwise。Ifindthattheteetotalersandtheanti-teetotalershiretheuseofthesamehallfortheirmeetings。Bothpartiesdon’tuseitatthesametime，dothey？"

"Youbettheydon’t！"saidbotholdladiesinabreath。

"And，moreover，"saidAuntBetsy，"theFreethinkersandtheBaptistBibleclassusethesameroomovertheMarkethouse，butyoucantakemywordforittheydon’tmushuptogetheranduseitatthesametime。’

"Verywell，"saidAngelo，"youunderstanditnow。Anditstandstoreasonthatthearrangementcouldn’tbeimproved。I’llproveittoyou。

Ifourlegstriedtoobeytwowills，howcouldweevergetanywhere？

Iwouldstartoneway，Luigiwouldstartanother，atthesamemoment——

theresultwouldbeastandstill，wouldn’tit？"

"Assureasyouareborn！Nowain’tthatwonderful！Abodywouldneverhavethoughtofit。"

"Weshouldalwaysbearguingandfussinganddisputingoverthemeresttrifles。Weshouldloseworldsoftime，forwecouldn’tgodown-stairsorup，couldn’tgotobed，couldn’trise，couldn’twash，couldn’tdress，couldn’tstandup，couldn’tsitdown，couldn’tevencrossourlegs，withoutcallingameetingfirstandexplainingthecaseandpassingresolutions，andgettingconsent。Itwouldn’teverdo——nowwouldit？"

"Do？Why，itwouldwearapersonoutinaweek！Didyoueverhearanythinglikeit，PatsyCooper？"

"Oh，you’llfindthere’smorethanonethingaboutthemthatain’tcommonplace，"saidthewidow，withthecomplacentairofapersonwithapropertyrightinanoveltythatisunderadmiringscrutiny。

"Well，now，howeverdoyoumanageit？Idon’tmindsayingI’msufferingtoknow。"

"Hewhomadeus，"saidAngeloreverently，"andwithusthisdifficulty，alsoprovidedawayoutofit。Byamysteriouslawofourbeing，eachofushasutterandindisputablecommandofourbodyaweekatatime，turnandturnabout。"

"Well，Inever！Nowain’tthatbeautiful！"

"Yes，itisbeautifulandinfinitelywiseandjust。TheweekendseverySaturdayatmidnighttotheminute，tothesecond，tothelastshadeofafractionofasecond，infallibly，unerringly，andinthatinstanttheonebrother’spoweroverthebodyvanishesandtheotherbrothertakespossession，asleeporawake。"

"HowmarvelousareHisways，andpastfindingout！"

Luigisaid："Soexactlytotheinstantdoesthechangecome，thatduringourstayinmanyofthegreatcitiesoftheworld，thepublicclockswereregulatedbyit；andashundredsofthousandsofprivateclocksandwatchesweresetandcorrectedinaccordancewiththepublicclocks，wereallyfurnishedthestandardtimefortheentirecity。"

"Don’ttellmethatHedon’tdomiraclesanymore！BlowingdownthewallsofJerichowithrams’hornswa’n’tasdifficult，inmyopinion。"

"Andthatisnotall，"saidAngelo。"Athingthatisevenmoremarvelous，perhaps，isthefactthatthechangetakesnoteoflongitudeandfitsitselftothemeridianweareon。Luigiisincommandthisweek。Now，ifonSaturdaynightatamomentbeforemidnightwecouldflyinaninstanttoapointfifteendegreeswestofhere，hewouldholdpossessionofthepoweranotherhour，forthechangeobserveslocaltimeandnoother。"

BetsyHalewasdeeplyimpressed，andsaidwithsolemnity：

"PatsyCooper，fordetailitlaysoverthePassageoftheRedSea。"

"Now，Ishouldn’tgoasfarasthat，"saidAuntPatsy，"butifyou’veamindtosaySodomandGomorrah，Iamwithyou，BetsyHale。"

"Iamagreeable，then，thoughIdothinkIwasright，andIbelieveParsonMaltbywouldsaythesame。Well，now，there’sanotherthing。

Supposeoneofyouwantstoborrowthelegsaminutefromtheonethat’sgotthem，couldhelethim？"

"Yes，butwehardlyeverdothat。Thereweredisagreeableresults，severaltimes，andsoweveryseldomaskorgranttheprivilege，nowadays，andwenevereventhinkofsuchathingunlessthecaseisextremelyurgent。Besides，aweek’spossessionatatimeseemssolittlethatwecan’tbeartospareaminuteofit。Peoplewhohavetheuseoftheirlegsallthetimeneverthinkofwhatablessingitis，ofcourse。

Itneveroccurstothem；it’sjusttheirnaturalordinarycondition，andsoitdoesnotexcitethematall。ButwhenIwakeup，onSundaymorning，andit’smyweekandIfeelthepowerallthroughme，oh，suchawaveofexultationandthanksgivinggoessurgingoverme，andIwanttoshout’Icanwalk！Icanwalk！’Madam，doyouever，atyouruprising，wanttoshout’Icanwalk！Icanwalk！’？"

"No，youpoorunfortunatecretur’，butI’llnevergetoutofmybedagainwithoutdoingit！Laws，tothinkI’vehadthisunspeakableblessingallmylonglifeandneverhadthegracetothankthegoodLordthatgaveittome！"

Tearsstoodintheeyesofboththeoldladiesandthewidowsaid，softly：

"BetsyHale，wehavelearnedsomething，youandme。"

Theconversationnowdriftedwide，butbyandbyfloatedbackoncemoretothatadmireddetail，therigidandbeautifulimpartialitywithwhichthepossessionofpowerhadbeendistributed，betweenthetwins。AuntBetsysawinitafarfinerjusticethanhumanlawexhibitsinrelatedcases。Shesaid：

"Inmyopinionitain’trightno，andneverhasbeenright，thewayatwinbornaquarterofaminutesoonerthantheotheronegetsallthelandandgrandeursandnobilitiesintheoldcountriesandhisbrotherhastogobareandbeanobody。Whichofyouwasbornfirst？"

Angelo’sheadwasrestingagainstLuigi’s；wearinesshadovercomehim，andforthepastfiveminuteshehadbeenpeacefullysleeping。Theoldladieshaddroppedtheirvoicestoalullingdrone，tohelphimtostealtheresthisbrotherwouldn’ttakehimup-stairstoget。LuigilistenedamomenttoAngelo’sregularbreathing，thensaidinavoicebarelyaudible：

"Wewerebothbornatthesametime，butIamsixmonthsolderthanheis。"

"Fortheland’ssake！"

"’Sh！don’twakehimup；hewouldn’tlikemytellingthis。Ithasalwaysbeenkeptsecrettillnow。"

"Buthowintheworldcanitbe？Ifyouwerebothbornatthesametime，howcanoneofyoubeolderthantheother？"

"Itisverysimple，andIassureyouitistrue。Iwasbornwithafullcropofhair，hewasasbaldasaneggforsixmonths。Icouldwalksixmonthsbeforehecouldmakeastep。Ifinishedteethingsixmonthsaheadofhim。Ibegantotakesolidssixmonthsbeforeheleftthebreast。

Ibegantotalksixmonthsbeforehecouldsayaword。Last，andabsolutelyunassailableproof，thesuturesinmyskullclosedsixmonthsaheadofhis。Alwaysjustthatsixmonths’differencetoaday。Wasthataccident？Nobodyisgoingtoclaimthat，I’msure。Itwasordaineditwaslawithaditsmeaning，andweknowwhatthatmeaningwas。Nowwhatdoesthisoverwhelmingbodyofevidenceestablish？Itestablishesjustonething，andthatthingitestablishesbeyondanyperadventurewhatever。Friends，wewouldnothaveitknownfortheworld，andImustbegyoutokeepitstrictlytoyourselves，butthetruthis，wearenomoretwinsthanyouare。"

Thetwooldladieswerestunned，paralyzed-petrified，onemayalmostsay——andcouldonlysitandgazevacantlyateachotherforsomemoments；

thenAuntBetsyHalesaidimpressively：

"There’snogettingaroundprooflikethat。Idobelieveit’sthemostamazingthingIeverheardof。"Shesatsilentamomentortwoandbreathinghardwithexcitement，thenshelookedupandsurveyedthestrangerssteadfastlyalittlewhile，andadded："Well，itdoesbeatme，butIwouldhavetookyoufortwinsanywhere。"

"SowouldI，sowouldI，"saidAuntPatsywiththeemphasisofacertaintythatisnotimpairedbyanyshadeofdoubt。

"Anybodywould-anybodyintheworld，Idon’tcarewhoheis，"saidAuntBetsywithdecision。

"Youwon’ttell，"saidLuigi，appealingly。

"Oh，dear，no！"answeredbothladiespromptly，"youcantrustus，don’tyoubeafraid。"

"Thatisgoodofyou，andkind。Neverleton；treatusalwaysasifweweretwins。"

"Youcandependonus，"saidAuntBetsy，"butitwon’tbeeasy，becausenowthatIknowyouain’tyoudon’tseemso。"

Luigimutteredtohimselfwithsatisfaction："Thatswindlehasgonethroughwithoutchangeofcars。"

Itwasnotverykindofhimtoloadthepoorthingsupwithasecretlikethat，whichwouldbealwaysflyingtotheirtongues’endseverytimetheyheardanyonespeakofthestrangersastwins，andwouldbecomeharderandhardertohangontowitheveryrecurrenceofthetemptationtotellit，whilethetortureofretainingitwouldincreasewitheverynewstrainthatwasapplied；butheneverthoughtofthat，andprobablywouldnothaveworriedmuchaboutitifhehad。

Avisitorwasannounced——someonetoseethetwins。Theywithdrewtotheparlor，andthetwooldladiesbegantodiscusswithinterestthestrangethingswhichtheyhadbeenlisteningto。Whentheyhadfinishedthemattertotheirsatisfaction，andAuntBetsyrosetogo，shestoppedtoaskaquestion：

"HowdoesthingscomeonbetweenRowenyandTomDriscoll？"

"Well，aboutthesame。Hewritestolerableoften，andsheanswerstolerableseldom。"

"Whereishe？"

"InSt。Louis，Ibelieve，thoughhe’ssuchagadaboutthatabodycan’tbeverycertainofhim，Ireckon。"

"Don’tRowenyknow？"

"Oh，yes，likeenough。Ihaven’taskedherlately。"

"Doyouknowhowhimandthejudgearegettingalongnow？"

"Firstrate，Ibelieve。Mrs。Prattsaysso；andbeingrightinthehouse，andsistertotheoneandaunttot’other，ofcoursesheoughttoknow。Shesaysthejudgeisrealfondofhimwhenhe’saway；butfretswhenhe’saroundandisvexedwithhisways，andnotsorrytohavehimgoagain。Hehasbeengonethreeweeksthistime——apleasantthingforbothofthem，Ireckon。"

"Tom’sratherharum-scarum，butthereain’tanythingbadinhim，I

guess。"

"Oh，no，he’sjustyoung，that’sall。Still，twenty-threeisold，inoneway。Ayoungmanoughttobeearninghislivingbythattime。IfTomweredoingthat，orwaseventryingtodoit，thejudgewouldbeaheapbettersatisfiedwithhim。Tom’salwaysgoingtobegin，butsomehowhecan’tseemtofindjusttheopeninghelikes。"

"Well，now，it’spartlythejudge’sownfault。Promisingtheboyhispropertywasn’tthewaytosethimtoearningafortuneofhisown。ButwhatdoyouthinkisRowenybeginningtoleananytowardhim，orain’tshe？"

AuntPatsyhadasecretinherbosom；shewantedtokeepitthere，butnaturewastoostrongforher。ShedrewAuntBetsyaside，andsaidinhermostconfidentialandmysteriousmanner：

"Don’tyoubreatheasyllabletoasoul——I’mgoingtotellyousomething。

InmyopinionTomDriscoll’schanceswereconsiderablebetteryesterdaythantheyareto-day。"

"PatsyCooper，whatdoyoumean？"

"It’sso，assureasyou’reborn。Iwishyoucould’a’beenatbreakfastandseenforyourself。"

"Youdon’tmeanit！"

"Well，ifI’manyjudge，there’saleaning——there’saleaning，sure。"

"Myland！Whichoneof’emisit？"

"Ican’tsayforcertain，butIthinkit’stheyoungestone——Anjy。"

Thentherewerehand-shakings，andcongratulations，andhopes，andsoon，andtheoldladiesparted，perfectlyhappy——theoneinknowingsomethingwhichtherestofthetowndidn’t，andtheotherinhavingbeenthesolepersonabletofurnishthatknowledge。

ThevisitorwhohadcalledtoseethetwinswastheRev。Mr。Hotchkiss，pastoroftheBaptistchurch。AtthereceptionAngelohadtoldhimhehadlatelyexperiencedachangeinhisreligiousviews，andwasnowdesirousofbecomingaBaptist，andwouldimmediatelyjoinMr。

Hotchkiss’schurch。Therewasnotimetosaymore，andthebrieftalkendedatthatpoint。Theministerwasmuchgratified，andhaddroppedinforamomentnow，toinvitethetwinstoattendhisBibleclassateightthatevening。Angeloaccepted，andwasexpectingLuigitodecline，buthedidnot，becauseheknewthattheBibleclassandtheFreethinkersmetinthesameroom，andhewantedtotreathisbrothertotheembarrassmentofbeingcaughtinfree-thinkingcompany。

CHAPTERV

GUILTANDINNOCENCEFINELYBLENT

[Alongandvigorousquarrelfollows，betweenthetwins。Andthereisplentytoquarrelabout，forAngelowasalwaysseekingtruth，andthisobligedhimtochangeandimprovehisreligionwithfrequency，whichweariedLuigi，andannoyedhimtoo；forhehadtobepresentateachnewenlistment——whichplacedhiminthefalsepositionofseemingtoindorseandapprovehisbrother’sfickleness；moreover，hehadtogotoAngelo’sprohibitionmeetings，andhehatedthem。Ontheotherhand，whenitwashisweektocommandthelegshegaveAngelojustcauseofcomplaint，forhetookhimtocircusesandhorse-racesandfandangoes，exposinghimtoallsortsofcensureandcriticism；andhedrank，too；andwhateverhedrankwenttoAngelo’sheadinsteadofhisownandmadehimactdisgracefully。Whentheeveningwascome，thetwoattendedtheFree-

thinkers’meeting，whereAngelowassadandsilent；thencametheBibleclassandlookeduponhimcoldly，findinghiminsuchcompany。ThentheywenttoWilson’shouseandChapterXIofPudd’nheadWilsonfollows，whichtellsofthegirlseeninTomDriscoll’sroom；andcloseswiththekickingofTombyLuigiattheanti-temperancemass-meetingoftheSonsofLiberty；withtheadditionofsomeaccountofRoxy’sadventuresasachamber-maidonaMississippiboat。Herexchangeofthechildrenhadbeenflippantlyandfarcicallydescribedinanearlierchapter。

Nextmorningallthetownwasa-buzzwithgreatnews；Pudd’nheadWilsonhadalawcase！The，publicastonishmentwassogreatandthepubliccuriositysointense，thatwhenthejusticeofthepeaceopenedhiscourt，theplacewaspackedwithpeopleandeventhewindowswerefull。

Everybodywas，flushedandperspiring；thesummerheatwasalmostunendurable。

TomDriscollhadbroughtachargeofassaultandbatteryagainstthetwins。RobertAllenwasretainedbyDriscoll，DavidWilsonbythedefense。Tom，hisnativecheerfulnessunannihilatedbyhisback-breakingandbone-bruisingpassageacrossthemassedheadsoftheSonsofLibertythepreviousnight，laughedhislittlecustomarylaugh，andsaidtoWilson：

"I’vekeptmypromise，yousee；I’mthrowingmybusinessyourway。

SoonerthanIwasexpecting，too。"

"It’sverygoodofyou——particularlyifyoumeantokeepitup。"

"Well，Ican’ttellaboutthatyet。Butwe’llsee。IfIfindyoudeserveitI’lltakeyouundermyprotectionandmakeyourfameandfortuneforyou。"

"I’lltrytodeserveit，Tom。"

Ajurywasswornin；thenMr。Allensaid：

"Wewilldetainyourhonorbutamomentwiththiscase。Itisnotonewhereanydoubtofthefactoftheassaultcanenterin。Thesegentlemen——theaccused——kickedmyclientattheMarketHalllastnight；

theykickedhimwithviolence；withextraordinaryviolence；withevenunprecedentedviolence，Imaysay；insomuchthathewasliftedentirelyoffhisfeetanddischargedintothemidstoftheaudience。Wecanprovethisbyfourhundredwitnesses——weshallcallbutthree。Mr。Harknesswilltakethestand。"

Mr。Harkness，beingsworn，testifiedthathewaschairmanupontheoccasionmentioned；thathewascloseathandandsawthedefendantsinthisactionkicktheplaintiffintotheairandsawhimdescendamongtheaudience。

"Takethewitness，"saidAllen。

"Mr。Harkness，"saidWilson，"yousayyousawthesegentlemen，myclients，kicktheplaintiff。Areyousure——andpleaserememberthatyouareonoath——areyouperfectlysurethatyousawbothofthemkickhim，oronlyone？Nowbecareful。"

Abewilderedlookbegantospreaditselfoverthewitness’sface。Hehesitated，stammered，butgotoutnothing。Hiseyeswanderedtothetwinsandfixedthemselvestherewithavacantgaze。

"Pleaseanswer，Mr。Harkness，youarekeepingthecourtwaiting。Itisaverysimplequestion。"

Counselfortheprosecutionbrokeinwithimpatience：

"Yourhonor，thequestionisanirrelevanttriviality。Necessarily，theybothkickedhim，fortheyhavebuttheonepairoflegs，andbothareresponsibleforthem。"

Wilsonsaid，sarcastically：

"Willyourhonorpermitthisnewwitnesstobesworn？Heseemstopossessknowledgewhichcanbeoftheutmostvaluejustatthismoment——

knowledgewhichwouldatoncedisposeofwhateveryonemustseeisaverydifficultquestioninthiscase。BrotherAllen，willyoutakethestand？"

"Goonwithyourcase！"saidAllen，petulantly。Theaudiencelaughed，andgotawarningfromthecourt。

"Now，Mr。Harkness，"saidWilson，insinuatingly，"weshallhavetoinsistuponananswertothatquestion。"

"I——er——well，ofcourse，Idonotabsolutelyknow，butinmyopinion——"

"Nevermindyouropinion，sir——answerthequestion。"

"I——why，Ican’tanswerit。"

"Thatwilldo，Mr。Harkness。Standdown。"

Theaudiencetittered，andthediscomfitedwitnessretiredinastateofgreatembarrassment。

Mr。Wakemantookthestandandsworethathesawthetwinskicktheplaintiffofftheplatform。

Thedefensetookthewitness。

"Mr。Wakeman，youhaveswornthatyousawthesegentlemenkicktheplaintiff。DoIunderstandyoutoswearthatyousawthembothdoit？"

"Yes，sir，"——withderision。

"Howdoyouknowthatbothdidit？"

"BecauseIsawthemdoit。"

Theaudiencelaughed，andgotanotherwarningfromthecourt。

"Butbywhatmeansdoyouknowthatboth，andnotone，didit？"

"Well，inthefirstplace，theinsultwasgiventobothofthemequally，fortheywerecalledapairofscissors。Ofcoursetheywouldbothwanttoresentit，andso——"

"Wait！Youaretheorizingnow。Sticktofacts——counselwillattendtothearguments。Goon。"

"Well，theybothwentoverthere——thatIsaw。"

"Verygood。Goon。"

"Andtheybothkickedhim——Isweartoit。"

"Mr。Wakeman，wasCountLuigi，here，willingtojointheSonsofLibertylastnight？"

"Yes，sir，hewas。Hedidjoin，too，anddrankaglassortwoofwhisky，likeaman。"

"Washisbrotherwillingtojoin？"

"No，sir，hewasn’t。Heisateetotaler，andwaselectedthroughamistake。"

"Washegivenaglassofwhisky？"

"Yes，sir，butofcoursethatwasanothermistake，andnotintentional。

Hewouldn’tdrinkit。Hesetitdown。"Aslightpause，thenheadded，casuallyandquitesimply："Theplaintiffreachedforitandhoggedit。"

Therewasafineoutburstoflaughter，butasthejusticewascaughtouthimself，hisreprimandwasnotveryvigorous。

Mr。Allenjumpedupandexclaimed："Iprotestagainstthesefoolishirrelevancies。Whathavetheytodowiththecase？"

Wilsonsaid："Calmyourself，brother，itwasonlyanexperiment。Now，Mr。Wakeman，ifoneofthesegentlemenchoosestojoinanassociationandtheotherdoesn’t；andifoneofthemenjoyswhiskyandtheotherdoesn’t，butsetsitasideandleavesitunprotected"（titterfromtheaudience），"itseemstoshowthattheyhaveindependentminds，andtastes，andpreferences，andthatoneofthemisabletoapproveofathingattheverymomentthattheotherisheartilydisapprovingofit。

Doesn’titseemsotoyou？"

"Certainlyitdoes。It’sperfectlyplain。"

"Now，then，itmightbe——Ionlysayitmightbe——thatoneofthesebrotherswantedtokicktheplaintifflastnight，andthattheotherdidn’twantthathumiliatingpunishmentinflicteduponhiminthatpublicwayandbeforeallthosepeople。Isn’tthatpossible？"

"Ofcourseitis。It’smorethanpossible。Idon’tbelievetheblondonewouldkickanybody。Itwastheotheronethat——"

"Silence！"shoutedtheplaintiff’scounsel，andwentonwithanangrysentencewhichwaslostinthewaveoflaughterthatsweptthehouse。

"Thatwilldo，Mr。Wakeman，"saidWilson，"youmaystanddown。"

Thethirdwitnesswascalled。Hehadseenthetwinskicktheplaintiff。

Mr。Wilsontookthewitness。

"Mr。Rogers，yousayyousawtheseaccusedgentlemenkicktheplaintiff？"

"Yes，sir。"

"Bothofthem？"

"Yes，sir。"

"Whichofthemkickedhimfirst？"

"Why——they——theybothkickedhimatthesametime。

"Areyouperfectlysureofthat？"

"Yes，sir。"

"Whatmakesyousureofit？"

"Why，Istoodrightbehindthem，andsawthemdoit。"

"Howmanykicksweredelivered？"

"Onlyone。"

"Iftwomenkick，theresultshouldbetwokicks，shouldn’tit？"

"Why——whyyes，asarule。"

"Thenwhatdoyouthinkwentwiththeotherkick？"

"I——well——thefactis，Iwasn’tthinkingoftwobeingnecessary，thistime。"

"Whatdoyouthinknow？"

"Well，I——I’msureIdon’tquiteknowwhattothink，butIreckonthatoneofthemdidhalfofthekickandtheotheronedidtheotherhalf。"

Somebodyinthecrowdsungout："It’sthefirstsanethingthatanyofthemhassaid。"

Theaudienceapplauded。Thejudgesaid："Silence！orIwillclearthecourt。"

Mr。Allenlookedpleased，butWilsondidnotseemdisturbed。Hesaid：

"Mr。Rogers，youhavefavoreduswithwhatyouthinkandwhatyoureckon，butasthinkingandreckoningarenotevidence，Iwillnowgiveyouachancetocomeoutwithsomethingpositive，onewayortheother，andshallrequireyoutoproduceit。Iwillasktheaccusedtostandupandrepeatthephenomenalkickoflastnight。"Thetwinsstoodup。"Now，Mr。Rogers，pleasestandbehindthem。"

AVoice："No，standinfront！"（Laughter。Silencedbythecourt。）

AnotherVoice："No，giveTommyanotherhighst！"（Laughter。Sharplyrebukedbythecourt。）

"Now，then，Mr。Rogers，twokicksshallbedelivered，oneaftertheother，andIgiveyoumywordthatatleastoneofthetwoshallbedeliveredbyoneofthetwinsalone，withouttheslightestassistancefromhisbrother。Watchsharply，foryouhaveoftorenderadecisionwithoutanyif’sandandsit。"Rogersbenthimselfbehindthetwinswithpalmsjustabovehisknees，inthemodernattitudeofthecatcheratabaseballmatch，andrivetedeyesonthepairoflegsinfrontofhim。

"Areyouready，Mr。Rogers？"

"Readysir。"

Thekick，launched。

"Haveyougotthatoneclassified，Mr。Rogers？"

"Letmestudyaminute，sir。"

"Takeasmuchtimeasyouplease。Letmeknowwhenyouareready。"

ForasmuchasaminuteRogerspondered，withalleyesandabreathlessinterestfasteneduponhim。Thenhegavetheword："Ready，sir。"

"Kick！"

Thekickthatfollowedwasanexactduplicateofthefirstone。

"Now，then，Mr。Rogers，oneofthosekickswasanindividualkick，notamutualone。Youwillnowstatepositivelywhichwasthemutualone。"

Thewitnesssaid，withacrestfallenlook：

"I’vegottogiveitup。Thereain’tanymanintheworldthatcouldtellt’otherfromwhich，sir。"

"Doyoustillassertthatlastnight’skickwasamutualkick？"

"Indeed，Idon’t，sir。"

"Thatwilldo，Mr。Rogers。IfmybrotherAllendesirestoaddressthecourt，yourhonor，verywell；butasfarasIamconcernedIamreadytoletthecasebeatoncedeliveredintothehandsofthisintelligentjurywithoutcomment。"

Mr。JusticeRobinsonhadbeeninofficeonlytwomonths，andinthatshorttimehadnothadmanycasestotry，ofcourse。Hehadnoknowledgeoflawsandcourtsexceptwhathehadpickedupsincehecameintooffice。Hewasasoretroubletothelawyers，forhisrulingswereprettyeccentricsometimes，andhestoodbythemwithRomansimplicityandfortitude；butthepeoplewerewellsatisfiedwithhim，fortheysawthathisintentionswerealwaysright，thathewasentirelyimpartial，andthatheusuallymadeupingoodsensewhathelackedintechnique，sotospeak。Henowperceivedthattherewaslikelytobeamiscarriageofjusticehere，andherosetotheoccasion。

"Waitamoment，gentlemen，"hesaid，"itisplainthatanassaulthasbeencommitteditisplaintoanybody；butthewaythingsaregoing，theguiltywillcertainlyescapeconviction。Icannotallowthis。Now——-"

"But，yourhonor！"saidWilson，interruptinghim，earnestlybutrespectfully，"youaredecidingthecaseyourself，whereasthejury——"

"Nevermindthejury，Mr。Wilson；thejurywillhaveachancewhenthereisareasonabledoubtforthemtotakeholdof——whichthereisn’t，sofar。Thereisnodoubtwhateverthatanassaulthasbeencommitted。

Theattempttoshowthatbothoftheaccusedcommittedithasfailed。

Aretheybothtoescapejusticeonthataccount？Notinthiscourt，ifIcanpreventit。Itappearstohavebeenamistaketobringthechargeagainstthemasacorporation；eachshouldhavebeenchargedinhiscapacityasanindividual，and——"

"But，yourhonor！"saidWilson，"infairnesstomyclientsImustinsistthatinasmuchastheprosecution’dnotseparatethe——"

"Nowrongwillbedoneyourclients，sir——theywillbeprotected；

alsothepublicandtheoffendedlaws。Mr。Allen，youwillamendyourpleadings，andputoneoftheaccusedontrialatatime。"

Wilsonbrokein："But，yourhonor！thisiswhollyunprecedented！

Toimperilanaccusedpersonbyarbitrarilyalteringandwideningthechargeagainsthiminordertocompasshisconvictionwhenthechargeasoriginallybroughtpromisestofailtoconvict，isathingunheardofbefore。"

"Unheardofwhere？"

"Inthecourtsofthisoranyotherstate。"

Thejudgesaidwithdignity："Iamnotacquaintedwiththecustomsofothercourts，andamnotconcernedtoknowwhattheyare。Iamresponsibleforthiscourt，andIcannotconscientiouslyallowmyjudgmenttobewarpedandmyjudiciallibertyhamperedbytryingtoconformtothecapricesofothercourts，bethey——"

"But，yourhonor，theoldestandhighestcourtsinEurope——"

"ThiscourtisnotrunontheEuropeanplan，Mr。Wilson；itisnotrunonanyplanbutitsown。Ithasaplanofitsown；andthatplanis，tofindjusticeforbothStateandaccused，nomatterwhathappenstobepracticeandcustominEuropeoranywhereelse。"（Greatapplause。）

"Silence！Ithasnotbeenthecustomofthiscourttoimitateothercourts；ithasnotbeenthecustomofthiscourttotakeshelterbehindthedecisionsofothercourts，andwewillnotbeginnow。WewilldothebestwecanbythelightthatGodhasgivenus，andwhilethis’courtcontinuestohaveHisapproval，itwillremainindifferenttowhatotherorganizationsmaythinkofit。"（Applause。）"Gentlemen，Imusthaveorder！——quietyourselves！Mr。Allen，youwillnowproceedagainsttheprisonersoneatatime。Goonwiththecase。"

Allenwasnotathisease。However，afterwhisperingamomentwithhisclientandwithoneortwootherpeople，heroseandsaid：

"Yourhonor，Ifindittobereportedandbelievedthattheaccusedareabletoactindependentlyinmanyways，butthatthisindependencedoesnotextendtotheirlegs，authorityovertheirlegsbeingvestedexclusivelyintheonebrotherduringaspecifictermofdays，andthenpassingtotheotherbrotherforaliketerm，andsoon，byregularalternation。Icouldcallwitnesseswhowouldprovethattheaccusedhadrevealedtothemtheexistenceofthisextraordinaryfact，andhadalsomadeknownwhichofthemwasinpossessionofthelegsyesterday——andthiswould，ofcourse，indicatewheretheguiltoftheassaultbelongs——

butasthiswouldbemerehearsayevidence，theserevelationsnothavingbeenmadeunderoath"

"Nevermindaboutthat，Mr。Allen。Itmaynotallbehearsay。Weshallsee。Itmayatleasthelptoputusontherighttrack。Callthewitnesses。"

"ThenIwillcallMr。JohnBuckstone，whoisnowpresent，andIbegthatMrs。PatsyCoopermaybesentfor。Takethestand，Mr。Buckstone。"

Buckstonetooktheoath，andthentestifiedthatonthepreviouseveningtheCountAngeloCapellohadprotestedagainstgoingtothehall，andhadcalledallpresenttowitnessthathewasgoingbycompulsionandwouldnotgoifhecouldhelphimself。Also，thattheCountLuigihadrepliedsharplythathewouldgo，justthesame，andthathe，CountLuigi，wouldseetothathimself。Also，thatuponCountAngelo’scomplainingaboutbeingkeptonhislegssolong，CountLuigiretortedwithapparentsurprise，"Yourlegs！——Ilikeyourimpudence！"

"Nowwearegettingatthekernelofthething，"observedthejudge，withgraveandearnestsatisfaction。"ItlooksasiftheCountLuigiwasinpossessionofthebatteryatthetimeoftheassault。"

NothingfurtherwaselicitedfromMr。Buckstoneondirectexamination。

Mr。Wilsontookthewitness。

"Mr。Buckstone，aboutwhattimewasitthatthatconversationtookplace？"

"Towardnineyesterdayevening，sir。"

"Didyouthenproceeddirectlytothehall？"

"Yes，sir。"

"Howlongdidittakeyoutogothere？"

"Well，wewalked；andasitwasfromtheextremeedgeofthetown，andtherewasnohurry，Ijudgeittookusabouttwentyminutes，maybeatriflemore。"

"Aboutwhathourwasthekickdelivered？"

"Aboutthirteenminutesandahalftoten。"

"Admirable！Youareapatternwitness，Mr。Buckstone。Howdidyouhappentolookatyourwatchatthatparticularmoment？"

"IalwaysdoitwhenIseeanassault。It’slikelyIshallbecalledasawitness，andit’sagoodpointtohave。"

"Itwouldbewellifotherswereasthoughtful。Wasanythingsaid，betweentheconversationatmyhouseandtheassault，uponthedetailwhichwearenowexamininginto？"

"No，sir。"

"Ifpoweroverthemutuallegswasinthepossessionofonebrotheratnine，andpassedintothepossessionoftheotheroneduringthenextthirtyorfortyminutes，doyouthinkyoucouldhavedetectedthechange？"

"Bynomeans！"

"Thatisall，Mr。Buckstone。"

Mrs。PatsyCooperwascalled。Thecrowdmadewayforher，andshecamesmilingandbowingthroughthenarrowhumanlane，withBetsyHale，asescortandsupport，smilingandbowinginherwake，theaudiencebreakingintowelcomingcheersastheoldfavoritesfiledalong。Thejudgedidnotcheckthiskindlydemonstrationofhomageandaffection，butletitrunitscourseunrebuked。

Theoldladiesstoppedandshookhandswiththetwinswitheffusion，thengavethejudgeafriendlynod，andbustledintotheseatsprovidedforthem。Theyimmediatelybegantodeliveravolleyofeagerquestionsatthefriendsaroundthem："Whatisthisthingfor？""Whatisthatthingfor？""Whoisthatyoungmanthat’swritingatthedesk？Why，I

declare，it’sJackBunce！Ithoughthewassick。""Whichisthejury？

Why，isthatthejury？BillyPriceandJobTurner，andJackLounsbury，and——well，Inever！""Nowwhowouldever’a’thought——"

Buttheyweregentlycalledtoorderatthispoint，andaskednottotalkincourt。Theirtonguesfellsilent，buttheradiantinterestintheirfacesremained，andtheirgratitudefortheblessingofanewsensationandanovelexperiencestillbeamedundimmedfromtheireyes。AuntPatsystoodupandtooktheoath，andMr。Allenexplainedthepointinissue，andaskedhertogoonnow，inherownway，andthrowasmuchlightuponitasshecould。Shetoyedwithherreticuleamomentortwo，asifconsideringwheretobegin，thenshesaid：

"Well，thewayofitisthis。TheyareLuigi’slegsaweekatatime，andthentheyareAngelo’s，andhecandowhateverhewantstowiththem。"

"Youaremakingamistake，AuntPatsyCooper，"saidthejudge。"Youshouldn’tstatethatasafact，becauseyoudon’tknowittobeafact。"

"What’sthereasonIdon’t？"saidAuntPatsy，bridlingalittle。

"Whatisthereasonthatyoudoknowit？"

"Thebestintheworldbecausetheytoldme。"

"Thatisn’tareason。"

"Well，fortheland’ssake！BetsyHale，doyouhearthat？"

"Hearit？Ishouldthinkso，"saidAuntBetsy，risingandfacingthecourt。"Why，Judge，Iwasthereandhearditmyself。LuigisaystoAngelo——no，itwasAngelosaiditto——"

"Come，come，Mrs。Hale，praysitdown，and——"

"Certainly，it’sallright，I’mgoingtositdownpresently，butnotuntilI’ve——"

"Butyoumustsitdown！"

"Must！Well，uponmywordifthingsain’tgettingtoaprettypasswhen——"

Thehousebrokeintolaughter，butwaspromptlybroughttoorder，andmeantimeMr。Allenpersuadedtheoldladytotakeherseat。AuntPatsycontinued：

"Yes，theytoldmethat，andIknowit’strue。They’reLuigi’slegsthisweek，but——"

"Ah，theytoldyouthat，didthey？"saidtheJustice，withinterest。

"Well，no，Idon’tknowthattheytoldme，butthat’sneitherherenorthere。Iknow，withoutthat，thatatdinneryesterday，Angelowasastiredasadog，andyetLuigiwouldn’tlendhimthelegstogoup-stairsandtakeanapwith。"

"Didheaskforthem？"

"Letmesee——itseemstome，somehow，that——that——AuntBetsy，doyourememberwhetherhe——"

"NevermindaboutwhatAuntBetsyremembers——sheisnotawitness；weonlywanttoknowwhatyourememberyourself，"saidthejudge。

"Well，itdoesseemto，methatyouaremostcantankerouslyparticularaboutalittlething，SimRobinson。Why，whenIcan’trememberathingmyself，Ialways——"

"Ah，pleasegoon！"

"Nowhowcanshewhenyoukeepfussingatherallthetime？"saidAuntBetsy。"Why，withapersonpeckingatmethatway，Ishouldgetthatfuzzledandfuddledthat——"

Shewasonherfeetagain，butAllencoaxedherintoherseatoncemore，whilethecourtsquelchedthemirthofthehouse。Thenthejudgesaid：

"Madam，doyouknow——doyouabsolutelyknow，independentlyofanythingthesegentlemenhavetoldyou——thatthepowerovertheirlegspassesfromtheonetotheotherregularlyeveryweek？"

"Regularly？Blessyourheart，regularlyain’tanynamefortheexactnessofit！AllthebigcitiesinEuropeusedtosettheclocksbyit。"

（Laughter，suppressedbythecourt。）

"Howdoyouknow？Thatisthequestion。Pleaseansweritplainlyandsquarely。"