"You are quite right," said George, "and you will see my reasons
shortly."
"I have no doubt," said Hanky significantly, "that they are such as would
weigh with any man of ordinary feeling."
"I understand, then," said George, appearing to take no notice of Hanky's
innuendo, "that you will swear to the facts as you have above stated
them?"
"Certainly."
"Then kindly wait while I write them on the form that I have brought with
me; the Mayor can administer the oath and sign your depositions. I shall
then be able to leave you, and proceed with getting up the case against
the prisoner."
So saying, he went to a writing-table in another part of the room, and
made out the depositions.
Meanwhile the Mayor, Mrs. Humdrum, and Dr. Downie (who had each of them
more than once vainly tried to take part in the above discussion)
conversed eagerly in an undertone among themselves. Hanky was blind with
rage, for he had a sense that he was going to be outwitted; the Mayor,
Yram, and Mrs. Humdrum had already seen that George thought he had all
the trumps in his own hand, but they did not know more. Dr. Downie was
frightened, and Panky so muddled as to be _hors de combat_.
George now rejoined the Professors, and read the depositions: the Mayor
administered the oath according to Erewhonian custom; the Professors
signed without a word, and George then handed the document to his father
to countersign.
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