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。\"
