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。"