Page:Dreams and apparitions (2).pdf/18

18 "Can you repeat anything to the Court that he desired you to say?"

"Yes; he desired me over and over again to tell the whole truth, and nothing but the truth."

And, in order that you should do this he paid you down fifteen pounds sterling?

"Yes."

"This is a very singular transaction: I cannot perceive the meaning of it. You certainly must be sensible that you made an advantageous bargain?"

"Yes"

"But you depone that he charged you to tell only the truth?"

"Yes, he did, and before witnesses, too."

Here Mr Forret's counsel began to amain, as if the victory had been his own, but the junior Judge again took him short by saying "Have patience, sir, the woman may be right, and your client in the wrong; at least I think I can perceive  much. Now, my goodwoman, I esteem your principals and plain simplicity very highly. We want only to ascertain the truth, and you say your master  charged you to tell that only. Tell  this, then—did he not inform you what that truth was?"