I did make a statement of the facts so far as I knew them, adding that the evidence of Sir John Bell and the nurse was a tissue of falsehoods, and that the former had been my constant enemy ever since I began to practise in Dunchester, and more especially since the issue of a certain case, in the treatment of which I had proved him to be wrong.  When my statement had been taken down and I had signed it, the chairman, after a brief consultation with his companions, announced that, as those concerned had thought it well to institute this prosecution, in the face of the uncontradicted evidence of Sir John Bell the bench had no option but to send me to take my trial at the Dunchester Assizes, which were to be held on that day month.  In order, however, to avoid the necessity of committing me to jail, they would be prepared to take bail for my appearance in a sum of 500 pounds from myself, and 500 pounds, in two sureties of 250 pounds, or one of the whole amount.

Now I looked about me helplessly, for I had no relations in Dunchester, where I had not lived long enough to form friends sufficiently true to be willing to thus identify themselves publicly with a man in great trouble.

“Thank you for your kindness,” I said, “but I think that I must go to prison, for I do not know whom to ask to go bail for me.”

As I spoke there was a stir at the back of the crowded court, and an ungentle voice called out, “I’ll go bail for you, lad.”

“Step forward whoever spoke,” said the clerk, and a man advanced to the table.

He was a curious and not very healthy-looking person of about fifty years of age, ill-dressed in seedy black clothes and a flaming red tie, with a fat, pale face, a pugnacious mouth, and a bald head, on the top of which isolated hairs stood up stiffly.  I knew him by sight, for once he had argued with me at a lecture I gave on sanitary matters, when I was told that he was a draper by trade, and, although his shop was by no means among the most important, that he was believed to be one of the richest men in Dunchester.  Also he was a fierce faddist and a pillar of strength to the advanced wing of the Radical party.

“What is your name?” asked a clerk.

“Look you here, young man,” he answered, “don’t have the impertinence to try your airs and graces on with me.  Seeing that you’ve owed me 24 pounds 3s. 6d. for the last three years for goods supplied, you know well enough what my name is, or if you don’t I will show it to you at the bottom of a county court summons.”

“It is my duty to ask you your name,” responded the disconcerted clerk when the laughter which this sally provoked had subsided.