"It's a pity that we haven't the Yatton election committee to deal with, Mr. Gammon!" said Sir Charles, with a sly sarcastic smile. "We've rather a different tribunal to go before now--eh?"
Mr. Gammon smiled--how miserably!--shook his head, and shrugged his shoulders. "We manage these matters rather differently in a court of law!" continued Sir Charles, with a fearful significance!
When the important morning of the trial arrived, there was a special jury sworn, consisting of gentlemen of the county--of integrity and independence--above all suspicion. Mr. Subtle opened a shockingly clear and strong case, to be sure; and what was worse, he _proved_ it, and so as to carry conviction to the minds of all in court. Sir Charles felt his opponent's case to be impregnable; and, in spite of several acute and severe cross-examinations, and a masterly speech, the stern and upright judge who tried the cause, summed up dead against the defendant, with many grave remarks on the profligate and systematic manner in which it appeared that the offences had been committed. After a brief consultation, the jury returned into court with a verdict for the plaintiff, in the sum of £2,500; that is, for five penalties of £500![13] A similar result ensued in each of the two following cases of _Wigley_ v. _Mudflint_, and _Wigley_ v. _Bloodsuck_; both of whom seemed completely stupefied at an issue so totally different from that which they had been led to expect, by the very different view of things which had been taken by the election committee. As for Mudflint, from what quarter under heaven he was to get the means of satisfying that truly diabolical verdict, he could not conjecture; and his face became several shades sallower as soon as he had heard his doom pronounced; but Bloodsuck, who had turned quite white, whispered in his ear, that _of course_ Mr. Titmouse would see them harmless----
"Oh Lord!" however, muttered Mudflint, in a cold perspiration--"I should like to hear Mr. Gammon recommending him to do so, _under circumstances_!"