Page:The Hocussing of Cigarette.pdf/6

24 so closely and so rigorously that gradually she lost what little self-control she had, and everyone in the court blamed Major Laverton not a little, for he was gradually getting the poor girl into a state of hysterics.

"As for me, I inwardly commended the learned J.P, for already I had guessed what he was driving at, and was not the least astonished when the dramatic incident occurred which rendered this case so memorable.

"Alice Image, namely, now thoroughly unnerved, harassed with the Major's questions, suddenly turned to where Cockram was sitting, and, with a hysterical cry, she stretched out both her arms towards him.

Joe! my Joe!" she cried; 'you know I didn't do it! Can't you do anything to help me?"

"It was pathetic in the extreme: everyone in the court felt deeply moved. As for Cockram, a sudden change came over him. I am accustomed to read the faces of my fellow-men, and in that rough countenance I saw then emerging, in response to the girl's appeal, a quick and firm resolution.

Aye, and I will, Alice!' he said, jumping to his feet. 'I have tried to do my duty. If the gentlemen will hear me I will say all I know.'

"Needless to say 'the gentlemen' were only too ready to hear him. Like a man who, having made up his mind, is now resolved to act upon it, the groom Cockram began his story.

I told your worship that, having drunk the beer that night, I dropped off to sleep very fast and very heavy like. How long I'd been asleep I couldn't say, when suddenly something seemed not exactly to wake me but to dispel my dreams, so to speak. I opened my eyes, and at first I couldn't see anything, as the gas in the stable was turned on very low; but I put out my hand to feel the mare's fetlocks, just by way of telling her that I was there all right enough, and looking after her—bless her! At that moment, your worship, I noticed that the stable-door was open and that someone—I couldn't see who it was—was goin' out of it. "Who goes there?" says I, for I still felt very sleepy and dull, when, to my astonishment, who should reply to me but'

"The man paused, and once more over his rough, honest face came the old look of perplexity and misery.

But?' queried the magistrate, whose nerves were obviously as much on tension as those of everyone else in that court.

Speak. Joe—won't you?" appealed Alice Image pathetically.

But the mistress—Mrs. Keeson, sir,' came from the groom in an almost inaudible whisper. 'You know, ma'am,' he added while the gathering tears choked his voice, 'I wouldn't 'ave spoke. But she's my sweetheart, ma'am; and I couldn't bear that the shame should rest on her.'

"There was a moment's deadly silence in that crowded court. Everyone's eyes wandered towards the pale face of Mrs. Keeson, which, however, though almost livid in colour, expressed nothing but the most boundless astonishment. As for Mr. Keeson, surprise, incredulity, then furious wrath at the slander, could be seen chasing one another upon his handsome face.

What lie is this?' burst involuntarily from his lips as his fingers closed more tightly upon the heavy riding-whip which he was holding.

Silence, please!' said the Major with authority. 'Now, Cockram, go on. You say Mrs. Keeson spoke to you. What did she say?'

She seemed rather upset, sir,' continued Cockram, still looking with humble apology across at his mistress, 'for she only stammered something about: "Oh, it's nothing, Cockram. I only wanted to speak to my son—er—to Mr. Harold—I

Harold?' thundered Mr. Keeson, who was fast losing his temper.

I must ask you, Mr. Keeson, to be silent,’ said the Major. 'Go on, Cockram.'

"And Cockram continued his narrative:

Mr. Harold, ma'am?" I said. "What should 'e be doing 'ere in the stables at this time of night?" "Oh, nothing," says she to me, "I thought I saw him come in here. I must have been mistaken. Never mind, Cockram; it's all right. Good-night."

I said good-night too, and then fell to wondering what Mr. 'Arold could have wanted prowling round the stables at this hour of the night. Just then the clock of St Saviour's struck four o'clock, and while I was still wondering I fell asleep again, and never woke until six, when the mare was as sick as she could be. And that's the whole truth, gentlemen; and I would never have spoke—for Mr. and Mrs. Keeson have always been good to me, and I'd have done anything to save them the disgrace—but Alice is goin' to be my wife, and I couldn't bear any shame to rest upon 'er.'

"When Cockram had finished speaking you might have heard a pin drop as Major