THE HAUGHTYSHIRE HUNT. 255 



as to her statements given on the previous day; and, hot, 

 dishevelled, and angry, ' Ma ' Turnover left the box, observing 

 that Mr. Dennison was 'no gentleman.' 



One more witness — a wholly unimportant one — completed 

 the case for the plaintiff ; and Eonald occupied but a very few 

 minutes in his opening speech, before calling Mr. Travers 

 Algernon Binkie into the witness-box. He briefly examined 

 that gentleman, and then turned him over to the tender 

 mercies of Mr. Smoothe Silky Q.C. 



"What are you, Mr. Binkie, may I ask?" began the 

 eminent Coansel, polishing up his glasses with a silk handker- 

 chief as he spoke. 



"I'm Trousers — I mean Travers — Travers Binkie, 3'ou 

 know. Who did you think I was?" and the vacuous eye 

 fixed itself upon the questioner in stupid wonderment. 



Mr. Silky gave a cough of annoyance. " I don't mean 

 that. I want to know what is your business or profession." 

 " Oh, really ! then why didn't you say so ? " 

 "Kindly refrain from cross-examining me, sir, and answer 

 the question. What are you ? " 



"Well, I suppose I'm a sort of man. I haven't got 

 anything to do, you know. Funny, ain't it?" 



"Will you cease putting questions, sir!" broke in the 

 Judge angrily. "You are not here for the purpose of asking 

 conundrums ! " 



Binkie looked frightened, and endeavoured to concentrate 

 his intellectual forces on the next query of the learned 

 Counsel's. 



"Is it a fact, Mr. Binkie, that you are now contemplating 



matrimony with another lady? " 



