I prefer the ones Anstey and Jerome make up.

I had met Anstey on several occasions lately, and each time liked him better than the last; for his whimsical, facetious manner covered a nature (as it often does) that was serious and thoughtful; and I found him, not only a man of considerable learning, but one also of a lofty standard of conduct.

A sharp rap of the knocker announced the arrival of the disturber of my peace, and when I opened the door Anstey walked in with the air of a man to whom an hour more or less is of no consequence whatever.

" I thanked her for this promise, and then, by way of making conversation, gave her an account in detail of Anstey's visit, not even omitting the incident of the cigar.

I shall go straight to the court with Anstey.

" Mr. Anstey sat down, and as Mr. Hornby left the witness-box, mopping the perspiration from his forehead, the next witness was called.

"What is a 'Thumbograph'?" Anstey rose with the little red-covered volume in his hand.

" Anstey sat down, and the next witness, an elderly man, answering to the name of Francis Simmons, was called.

"No, my lord," replied Anstey.

" Again Sir Hector glanced significantly at the jury as he resumed his seat, and again Anstey made no sign beyond the entry of a few notes on the margin of his brief.

" Upon this Anstey rose and, addressing the judge, said "I call witnesses, my lord.

" The judge nodded and made an entry in his notes while Anstey delivered his brief introductory speech "My lord and gentlemen of the jury, I shall not occupy the time of the Court with unnecessary appeals at this stage, but shall proceed to take the evidence of my witnesses without delay.

The papers were handed to the judge for his inspection, and Anstey sat down, when Sir Hector Trumpler rose, with a somewhat puzzled expression on his face, to cross-examine.

The judge nodded to Anstey, who then continued"It is called a 'Thumbograph,' I believe.

"The Committee of the Societyno, that is the wrong oneI mean Walter, you knowat least" "I beg your pardon," said Anstey, with polite gravity.

" "If you mean that you wish to get one like it" "We do not," said Anstey.

Anstey sat down, and Mrs. Hornby having given another correcting twist to her bonnet, was about to step down from the box when Sir Hector rose and bestowed upon her an intimidating stare.

Indeed the matter was presently put beyond all doubt, for he hastily passed to me a scrap of paper, on which I found, when I opened it out, that he had written "X = W.H." As Anstey handed the rather questionable document up to the judge, I glanced at Walter Hornby and observed him to flush angrily, though he strove to appear calm and unconcerned, and the look that he directed at his aunt was very much the reverse of benevolent.

"You are attached to the medical school at St. Margaret's Hospital, I believe, Dr. Thorndyke?" said Anstey.

" Anstey turned towards the judge.

"What do you say, Mr. Anstey?" "No objection whatever, my lord," answered Anstey.

" Anstey sat down, and Mr. Singleton, having passed his notes up to the judge, retired from the box, giving place to his colleague.

"Accordingly, gentlemen, I assert that the prisoner's innocence has been proved in the most complete and convincing manner, and I ask you for a verdict in accordance with that proof." As Anstey resumed his seat, a low rumble of applause was heard from the gallery.

"What have you got for lunch?" demanded Anstey, who was now disrobed and in his right mindthat is to say, in his usual whimsical, pseudo-frivolous character.

" "I will come and eat, which is better," answered Anstey, "and I must run off now, as I have to look in at my chambers.