Already the jury were filing
in, one by one, and taking their seats. The black cap lay beside Mr.
Justice Grainger's spectacles, a sinister emblem, having its response in
the white-faced man who stood in the dock, awaiting the verdict upon his
life.
Cleek saw it all in one glance, and then spoke.
"Your Lordship," he said, addressing the judge, who looked at him with
raised eyebrows, "may I address the court?" The barristers arose,
scandalized at the interruption, knowing not whether advantage for
prosecution or defence lay in what this man had to say. The clerk of the
court stood aghast ready to order the court officers to eject the
interloper who dared interrupt the course of the majestic law. All stood
poised for a breathless moment, held in check by the power of the man
Cleek, or by uncertainty as to the action of the judge.
A tense pause, and then the court broke the silence, "You may speak."
"Your Lordship, may it please the court," said Cleek, "I have evidence
here which will save this man's life. I demand to show it to the court.
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