And even then the witnesses were not called
at once. Sir Gregory Grogram began the work of the day by saying
that he had heard that morning for the first time that one of
his witnesses had been,--"tampered with" was the word that he
unfortunately used,--by his learned friend on the other side. He
alluded, of course, to Lord Fawn, and poor Lord Fawn, sitting up
there on the seat of honour, visible to all the world, became very
hot and very uncomfortable. Then there arose a vehement dispute
between Sir Gregory, assisted by Sir Simon, and old Mr. Chaffanbrass,
who rejected with disdain any assistance from the gentler men who
were with him. "Tampered with! That word should be recalled by the
honourable gentleman who was at the head of the bar, or--or--" Had
Mr. Chaffanbrass declared that as an alternative he would pull the
Court about their ears, it would have been no more than he meant.
Lord Fawn had been invited,--not summoned to attend; and why? In
order that no suspicion of guilt might be thrown on another man,
unless the knowledge that was in Lord Fawn's bosom, and there alone,
would justify such a line of defence.
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