“He had.”

“Were you surprised at that?”

“Yes, I was.”

“Had you any idea why he went away?”

“None whatever.  He was well fed and clothed and cared for.”

“Did it ever occur to you that the Almighty made some boys with hearts so honest that they had rather starve and die by the roadside than be made to lie and steal at home?”

The old man did not answer, he was too greatly surprised and angered to reply.

“Well,” said Sharpman, calmly, “I don’t know, if your Honor please, that the witness is bound to be sufficiently versed in the subject of Christian ethics to answer questions of that kind.”

“He need not answer it,” said the judge.

Then Sharpman continued, more vehemently:  “The cross-examination, as conducted by the eminent counsel, has, thus far, been simply an outrage on professional courtesy.  I ask now that the gentleman be confined to questions which are germane to the issue and decently put.”

“I have but a few more questions to ask,” said Goodlaw.

Turning to the witness again, he continued:  “If you succeed in establishing this boy’s identity, you will have a bill to present for care and moneys expended and services performed on his account, will you not?”

“I expect so; yes, sir.”

“As the service continued through a period of years, the bill will amount now to quite a large sum, I presume?”

“Yes, I nave done a good deal for the boy.”

“You expect to retain the usual commission for your services as guardian, do you not?”

“I do.”

“And to control the moneys and properties that may come into your hands?”

“Well—­yes.”

“About how much money, all together, do you expect to make out of this estate?”

“I do not look on it in that light, sir; I am taking these proceedings simply to compel you and your client to give that boy his rights.”

This impudent assertion angered Goodlaw, who well knew the object of the plot, and he rose from his chair, saying deliberately:—­

“Do you mean to swear that this is not a deep-laid scheme on the part of you and your attorney to wrest from this estate enough to make a fortune for you both?  Do you mean to say mat you care as much for this boy’s rights as you do for the dust in your path?”

Craft’s face paled, and Sharpman started to his feet, red with passion.

“This is the last straw!” he exclaimed, hoarsely; “now I intend”—­

But the judge, fearing an uncontrollable outbreak of temper, interrupted him, saying:—­

“Your witness need not answer the question in that form, Mr. Sharpman.  Mr. Goodlaw, do you desire to cross-examine the witness further?”

Goodlaw had resumed his seat and was turning over his papers.

“I do not care to take up the time of the court any longer,” he said, “with this witness.”