Judicial Findings
- The Jurors' Contentions -
"There was no one else inside the carriage at the time, so it has to have been him." Juror No. 1 said.
"I trust the driver. He has an excellent memory, it seems. Four passengers, with fares totalling twenty pence." Juror No 2 said.
"He stuck the chap next to him just like this! Brazen, I must say. Absolutely brazen!" Juror No 3 cried.
"I have simply typed and collated all the statements made thus far, and drawn the logical conclusion." Juror No. 4 said.
"You can trust the guild. Fair fares is our motto. We haven't raised prices above fourpence for years." Juror No. 5 said.
"The scoundrel, stabbing that poor man on the floor! It beggars belief!" Juror No. 6 yelled.
"Right. That's a lot." I said, as Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'I'm starting to wish I hadn't pushed for this now…'
"Some of the jurors don't seem to have wonderfully formed arguments, though, do they?" Susato asked.
"Nope." I said, and I clutched the strap of my sling bag. "That's why it was discontinued before 2013 some time in the future. It was then brought back in 2026."
"Well, let's see what we can do. We need to get these six people to change their minds." Ryunosuke said, while he thought this to himself. 'I'll have to throw everything I can at them! And use some very persuasive language…'
"Just a moment, Mr Naruhodo. According to my book, that's not quite how it works." Susato said, looking down at her book.
"Oh? I thought I was going to have to thaw their icy minds with some heart-warming rhetoric about the defendant."
"Unfortunately... ...once the jurors have decided the defendant is guilty, they're unlikely to heed anything the defence says."
"But, but then…" Ryunosuke said, sadly.
"They've reached their conclusions by their own reasoning, you see. Your pleas will sound like excuses. In fact, it could recoil on you. The more you try to persuade them, the more entrenched they may become."
"Then what on earth am I supposed to do?!" Ryunosuke exclaimed.
"Oh dear. I'm just citing what I've read about British law, Mr Naruhodo." Susato said.
"Right, I'm sorry. ...Do you have any idea how to make this work, then?"
"Well, from what I can understand... ...the key to this procedure is using the jurors' own words to make your arguments."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, the six members of the jury are randomly selected members of the public. They may appear to present a united front, but the truth is... ...they are complete strangers, who just happen to find themselves here in the courtroom together."
"And...that's the way to break them down, you mean?"
"Yes, exactly. We must listen very carefully to what each member of the jury says... ...and see if we can identify any contradictory statements. If we can, we then contrast the statements and pit the corresponding jurors against each other!" Susato said, excitedly.
"I see. So it's contradictions in what two or more jurors say that we're looking for. In a way, then... ...this is similar to a regular cross-examination." Ryunosuke said, his eyes widening.
"Oh! Yes, I, I suppose you're right!"
"That's because it is." I said, looking over at Ryunosuke.
"..." Ryunosuke said, while he thought this to himself. 'Find contradictions in their statements and pit the jurors against one another to break them down... Alright, I might be able to pull this off. ...No, that's not right... I HAVE TO pull this off!'
"Can we start proceedings, Counsel? I would ask you to take the stand for this. I'm expecting a clear and concise rebuttal!" The Judge yelled.
"Yes, My Lord!"
Jury Examination
- The Defence's Rebuttal -
"There was no one else inside the carriage at the time, so it has to have been him." Juror No. 1 said.
"That doesn't sound right..." I said, letting out a sigh.
"Hold it." Ryunosuke said, doing the Hold it pose. "Certainly, the testimonies we've heard suggest the victim and Mr McGilded were alone inside the carriage."
"Precisely my point." Juror No. 1 said.
"But! Could there be some other explanation? Something we haven't considered yet?"
"Such as...?"
"... Haha, well, um...perhaps that's something we could, um... all work out together now?"
"Now listen here! Maybe you don't know how things work around here because you're...from foreign climes. But we're here to form our opinions as individuals. And I have!"
"Ugh…" Ryunosuke said, annoyed.
"Oh dear. He doesn't appear to be in the mood to consider an alternative point of view, does he?" Susato asked.
"The only thing you can do is make them argue." I said, as Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'No, I'm going to have to pit the jurors against one another, like Susato-san and Jared said. Finding contradictions in these six people's assertions is the only way I'm going to succeed…'
"I trust the driver. He has an excellent memory, it seems. Four passengers, with fares totalling twenty pence." Juror No. 2 said.
"He stuck the chap next to him just like this! Brazen, I must say. Absolutely brazen!" Juror No 3 cried.
"Contradiction." I said, happily.
"Objection." Ryunosuke said, doing the Objection pose. "Those two statements clearly contradict each other!"
"They do? Explain yourself, Counsel!" The Judge said, angrily.
"Me?! Oh dear, what have I said?" Juror No. 2 asked.
"I swear on Silver Blaze's mane and name, I haven't the first idea what you're talking about!" Juror No. 5 yelled.
"According to the group testimony we've heard so far... ...there were four passengers on the omnibus on the night in question. And according to the coachman, Mr Beppo, he took twenty pence in fares." Ryunosuke said, looking down at a piece of paper.
"Quite right. I have those precise details typed neatly here in front of me." Juror No. 4 said.
"And juror number five also told us the following: The fare for the omnibus...is always fourpence."
"That it is. A fair and convenient single price. Just the way London's carriages should be operated!" Juror No. 5 said, smirking.
"But that doesn't add up at all. In fact, it leaves a glaring discrepancy in the facts." Ryunosuke said.
"Why, man, why?!"
"Four passengers paying fourpence each. If you do the multiplication…"
"Ah! It would be sixteen pence!" Juror No. 2 said, worried.
"Exactly. As I said, it doesn't add up. The figures are different. By fourpence, in fact. ...Or precisely one person's fare." Ryunosuke said.
"One person's fare?" The Judge asked.
"Yes! In other words, on the omnibus that night... ...it's distinctly possible...there was another passenger we've heard nothing about!"
"Good gracious!"
"This, this can't be right! The coachmen of the guild are good, honest men, one and all! Trustworthiness is our watchword!" Juror No. 5 said, terrified.
"The figures your coachman claims most certainly do not add up. Your watchword, good sir, is a fallacy!" Juror No. 4 yelled.
"I beg your pardon?!"
"Mr Guildmaster, I think you ought to consider that if this trial were to end now... ...the news will surely spread all over London. The news that one of your coachmen tried to hide the fact that he lets nefarious characters ride his omnibus." Ryunosuke said.
"...! Alright then, how do I make it so this miserable trial doesn't end, hm?" Juror No. 5 asked.
"Well, according to my book here... ...you simply launch a ball of fire onto the innocent side of the set of scales!" Susato chirped, looking down at her book.
"Now hold your horses there, coachman! We were all in agreement! Why do you have to go and…" Juror No. 1 said.
"Wait till I get my hands on you, Beppo!!!" Juror No. 5 said, angrily.
"Argh! This is all very irritating…"
"Begging your pardon, sir, I'm going to do the same." Juror No. 2 said.
"For the love of Mike! Not you as well?!" Juror No. 1 exclaimed.
"A penny can be the difference between a smile and a tear, after all. I certainly can't put my trust in someone who doesn't follow my exacting standards in financial matters."
"Oh really?"
"I, for one, think it's only proper that we hear from the witnesses again."
Two of the jurors cast their vote for innocence.
"Oh, well done, Mr Naruhodo! You did it! If we can manage to change two more jurors' minds... ...we can force the trial to continue!" Susato said, excitedly.
"Two more…" Ryunosuke said, as he thought this to himself. 'Actually... ...there is something else that's bothering me about a couple of their assertions.'
"Then that's where you must strike next!"
"Yup. You got this, Ryunosuke." I said, and Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'So I need to pit two more jurors against each other and show there's another contradiction in their assertions.'
"Exactly! You can do it!" Susato cheered.
"Well, the Scales of Justice have shifted, but they still weigh heavy on the side of guilt. Counsel, you have the floor again. Continue with your summation examination!" The Judge said, angrily.
"I'm changing my leaning to innocent. I should like to hear what the slipshod bookkeeper has to say for himself!" Juror No. 2 said, casting his vote for innocent.
"He stuck the chap next to him just like this! Brazen, I must say. Absolutely brazen!" Juror No. 3 said, terrified.
Juror No. 2 and Juror No. 3 casted their votes for innocent.
"I'm no lover of the rich, but I despise liars even more! Innocent is my call, for now at least!" Juror No. 3 said.
"Yes!" I chirped, and Ryunosuke thought this to himself. '...Wait! That, that means... ...four jurors are now leaning to not guilty!'
"We've done it, Mr Naruhodo, Jared! We've won!" Susato cheered.
"What are you playing at, you dandy fool?!" Juror No. 1 exclaimed.
"Shut your trap, sir! No one deceives me!" Juror No. 3 said, angrily.
"But we had a consensus!"
"I said shut your trap! I know a liar when I see one! And if the chap ever dares to cross the threshold of my shop... ...I'll take this razor-sharp blade...and shave every last hair off his head!"
"Wow…" I said, as Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'Please tell me he's a barber…'
"Well! In a quite remarkable turn of events... ...the defence's summation examination has flipped the balance of the Scales of Justice! The jurors now stand at two for guilty...and four for not guilty! Accordingly, there is no longer a large enough majority among the jury for me to adjudicate... ...and the trial must continue! I hereby ask the defence, prosecution and witnesses to return to their places. And I call upon all of you to continue to pursue the truth!" The Judge said, angrily. "So...Lord Van Zieks. Continue to substantiate the case for the prosecution, if you please."
"Having savoured the rich aroma of the carmine contents of this hallowed chalice... ...it may seem crass to crush it to dust. ...Pray forgive the discourtesy." Van Zieks said, tossing his glass into the cauldron.
"L-Lord van Zieks!"
"Uh…" I said, and Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'Brrr... Is it cold in here, or is it just me?'
"As your antiquated tome no doubt says, the prosecution may not speak during a summation examination. So I honoured a deathly silence...and listened to the charade. It seems I overestimated the intelligence of the jury." Van Zieks said.
"...!" Juror No. 1 said.
"...!" Juror No. 2 said.
"...!" Juror No. 3 said.
"...Well, no matter. There is nothing so hard to prove as a self-evident truth, it would seem. No... And why else would we grace the courtroom with our presence after all? So, let us proceed to the next round of battle. Bring forth the witnesses once more!" Van Zieks yelled.
Beppo, Fairplay, and Furst entered the court room walked up to the witness stand again.
"Witnesses! I trust you heard the summation examination we have just had to...endure?" Van Zieks asked.
"Oh, y-yes, sir, that I did, sir." Beppo said.
"Of course I heard it!" Fairplay said.
"Oh yes, sir. I heard it." Furst said.
"You, sir, on the end... The coachman. I believe it's 'Beppo'?" The Judge asked.
"Y-Yes, sir, My Lord, sir?" Beppo asked.
"If it transpires that in your previous testimony... ...you were attempting to veil the presence of a fifth passenger on your omnibus... ...you will be found guilty of perjury! You are advised to bear that in mind, sir."
"Uhhh... Oh mio Dio... Uhhh…"
"Now then, witnesses. I hereby call on you to testify before the court again. You will explain the various misgivings brought to our attention by the defence's summation examination!"
Witness Testimony
- Various Misgivings -
"I, I only c-carried f-four passengers that night! I swear it! ...B-B-But, um…" Beppo said.
"Well, I for one was told I had to pay fivepence for the bus." Fairplay said.
"He fiddled us on the fare, he did! And then I saw that blood-curdling sight as well... It's all too much!" Furst yelled.
"I tell you, I saw McGilded stabbing that man! Everything I said before stands!"
"Oh yes... Yes, he s-s-stabbed him. Yes he did. ...I, I think so, yes." Beppo said.
"Counsel, make sense of this for me, please." The Judge said.
"The phantom fifth passenger conjured into existence by my learned Eastern friend never existed. The confusion has arisen from the coachman's sly little... cozenage." Van Zieks said.
"Uhhh…" Beppo said, sadly.
"Beppo! Explain yourself!" Juror No. 5 said, angrily.
"I'm t-terribly sorry, G-G-Guildmaster!"
"The guild's fare is fourpence across the board! You know that! Am I to understand that you've been overcharging our passengers by a penny a fare?"
"It's, it's so c-c-cold... And the last r-run of the day is always h-h-half empty…"
"... You have been dishonest, coachman." The Judge said.
"Uhhh... I'm s-sorry…" Beppo said, frowning.
"You're a disgrace, Beppo! A disgrace! And your selfish actions have brought dishonour on the entire guild!" Juror No. 5 yelled.
"If I may, sir...? I had to pay tenpence on the bus just last week." Furst said.
"WHAAAAAAT?"
"Four passengers at fivepence each is... Yes, twenty pence. I've done the arithmetic ten times already, but I just can't make the result come out differently!" Susato chirped.
"...No, that...figures." Ryunosuke said, letting out a sigh.
"Well, it would appear that one of the aforementioned misgivings has already been explained. So, Counsel for the Defense... Your cross-examination, if you please." The Judge said.
"We've already had the pleasure of a protracted summation examination today. I see you intend to continue the parlour games." Van Zieks said.
"... ...Absolutely!" Ryunosuke said, worried.
Cross-Examination
- Various Misgivings -
"I, I only c-carried f-four passengers that night! I swear it! ...B-B-But, um…" Beppo said.
"Well, I for one was told I had to pay fivepence for the bus." Fairplay said.
"He fiddled us on the fare, he did! And then I saw that blood-curdling sight as well... It's all too much!" Furst yelled.
"I tell you, I saw McGilded stabbing that man! Everything I said before stands!"
"Oh yes... Yes, he s-s-stabbed him. Yes he did. ...I, I think so, yes." Beppo said.
"D'you think I'd forget the sight of those blood-soaked hands after that butcher stabbed the man?!" Fairplay exclaimed.
"I can't help but think about these." I said, looking down at the Defendant's Leather Gloves. "These gloves."
"Objection." Ryunosuke said, presenting the Defendant's Leather Gloves. "Blood-soaked...hands?"
"Well, I admit that 'soaked' might be laying it on a little thick, but... But anyway! There was definitely blood all over them. Both of them were covered in it!" Fairplay cried.
"Well, I'm very sorry to disagree, Mr Fairplay, but that's more than a little peculiar."
"What?"
"Here are the gloves worn by the defendant, Mr McGilded, on the night in question."
"Oh...yes...right…"
"And there certainly does appear to be a sizeable dark-coloured stain there. But, as I'm sure you can clearly see... ...it's only on the right-hand glove."
"Arrrrgh!" Fairplay said, annoyed.
"In short, Mr Fairplay... ...your testimony is inconsistent!" Ryunosuke said, smirking.
"Gyaaagh! But, but...no! That can't be right!"
"So you're the liar here then!" Juror No. 6 said, angrily.
"Gargh!" Fairplay said, worried.
"That's right! You were quite clear about it. You said - Hyuurgh! - it was both hands!" Juror No. 3 said, in awe.
"Grrr…"
"Mr Fairplay. If your last statement was a lie... ...it calls your entire testimony into question. You say you saw the moment the victim was stabbed. ...But is that really the truth?!" Ryunosuke exclaimed.
"Argh! I...well... I…" Fairplay said, at a loss for words.
"Objection." Van Zieks said, doing the Objection pose. "It was a simple mistake. You can't justify accusing this man of lying! Yes, it wasn't both hands; it was only one. But the fact remains... ...the victim's blood was on the accused!"
"Objection." Ryunosuke said, doing the Objection pose. "No! Mr Fairplay categorically stated that he saw blood 'all over both hands'! Which means there's a strong possibility that this witness was deliberately trying to mislead the court!"
"Gaaargh! Why? Why?! I'm a city banker, for pity's sake! My word should be...the gold standard! I'm a gentleman, not some guttersnipe! Upstanding members of society don't prevaricate!" Fairplay said, worried.
"He's lying." I said, while Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'He's claiming to have no reason to lie... But is that really the case?'
"Mr Naruhodo! If we had some evidence to explain why Mr Fairplay might be lying... ...it could turn the tide in this trial completely!" Susato cried.
"You need to show him a reason to lie." I said, as Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'Something to show this man has a compelling reason to lie in his testimony…'
"Say you have evidence." I said, happily.
"My Lord!" Ryunosuke yelled.
"Yes, Counsel?" The Judge asked.
"The defence is ready to present evidence!"
"By Jove! Are you sure?"
"Yes. Evidence that will clearly demonstrate why Mr Fairplay had reason to lie in his testimony!"
"GAAARGH!!!" Fairplay said, angrily.
"...Very well. I hereby call on the defence to present its evidence. The evidence that demonstrates a motive for the witness's alleged deception of the court!" The Judge yelled.
"Here you go." I said, handing Ryunosuke the Debtors' Ledger.
"Take that!" Ryunosuke said, presenting the Debtors' Ledger. "This is a list of the debtors who owe money to Mr McGilded."
"...Yes, a list of innocent victims, crippled by the accused's extortion." Van Zieks said.
"The point is, among the names of these debtors is your name... ...Mr Bruce Fairplay."
"...!" Fairplay said, at a loss for words.
"What?! Mr Fairplay! Are you currently indebted financially to the accused?" The Judge asked.
"Arrrgh! No! Well...it's, it's barely worthy of being called a debt…"
"According to this ledger, you owe twenty guineas. Not an inconsiderable sum of money, wouldn't you say?" Ryunosuke asked, looking down at the Debtors' Ledger.
"Argh! Well, well what of it?!" Fairplay exclaimed.
"Let's suppose Mr McGilded were to be found guilty of murder... What would become of your debt in that case?"
"Hm, these documents state that the loan agreement is forged between two individual parties. Therefore, were the creditor - the defendant here - to be sentenced to a capital punishment... ...all outstanding debts which were owed to him would be annulled. They would cease to exist." The Judge said.
"Cease to exist?!" Susato exclaimed.
"Mr Fairplay! Is it not the case that you claimed in your testimony to have seen something you never in fact saw... ...in a devious attempt...to annul your debt of twenty guineas to the defendant!" Ryunosuke said, angrily.
"Gugh…" Fairplay said, breaking down. "GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!"
"Ordaaar! Ordaaar! Ordaaaaaar!!! ...Mr Bruce Fairplay!" The Judge yelled.
"Y-Yes, My Laaarghd?"
"Let me ask you again. And be aware that your answer may have most serious implications upon your future, sir."
"Grrr…"
"Did you or did you not... ...see the precise moment in time at which the defendant is alleged to have thrust a knife into the victim?"
"... ..."
"Your silence speaks volumes! You did NOT tell the truth in your testimony!" Ryunosuke said, angrily.
"Alright! Now let's not make a melodrama out of this. Perhaps I did...overstate the truth a pinch." Fairplay said, sadly.
"A pinch?"
"But it makes no difference! I definitely remember seeing blood on McGilded's hands! Both of them!"
"Objection." Ryunosuke said, doing the Objection pose. "And yet! Only one of the defendant's gloves, which we have here as evidence, is stained!"
"Grrr... So you keep saying!" Fairplay said, annoyed.
"... I, I wonder if I might be allowed to speak, sir?" Furst asked.
"Go ahead, Mr Furst." The Judge said.
"Well, the thing is...I think I remember seeing it myself, as it happens."
"Seeing what?" Ryunosuke asked.
"The blood, sir. On the assailant's hands. I think... Yes, I'm, I'm almost sure that it was on both of his hands, not just one." Furst said.
"Wha...? WHAAAT?!"
"Hmph. It would appear that we're going to need further testimony from all you witnesses. This time, I would like to know precisely what you DID and what you did NOT see! ...Do I make myself perfectly clear?" The Judge asked.
"Y-Yaaarghsss…" Fairplay said, frowning.
"Mr Naruhodo! Jared! This is good news! The course of the trial seems to have shifted slightly at last!" Susato said, excitedly.
"Yes!" Ryunosuke said, as he thought this to himself. 'I might finally have a chance to turn things around here…'
Witness Testimony
- What the Witnesses Really Saw -
"There was blood on both hands of the assailant. I sincerely and distinctly remember that!
However...I, I suppose you might say that I didn't see the exact moment the stabbing transpired...if that matters." Fairplay said.
"I remember seeing the knife. And, and I remember seeing both of the attacker's hands with blood on them." Furst said.
"I, I d-didn't actually s-see anything myself. No. N-Not until I h-heard that scream." Beppo said.
"Anyway, the fact remains! There can't have been anyone else inside that carriage, or we all would have seen!" Fairplay said, terrified.
"Well, lo and behold... ...in truth of fact, not one of you was witness to the crucial moment the crime was perpetrated!" The Judge said, angrily.
"I, I apologise, My Lord! But... But honestly... Argh! There was no one else inside that carriage, and the man's hands were covered in blood! Grrr... That much incriminating evidence is tantamount to saying we saw the man do it!"
"That's...really not what testimony is about." Ryunosuke said, sadly.
"...Let us examine the interior of the omnibus once more. The victim's fresh blood is clearly visible on the seat, corroborating the witnesses' accounts. In other words, there is no substantial - nor significant - change in the facts of the case." Van Zieks said.
"Hm... Very well. Your cross-examination, please, Counsel." The Judge said.
"Yes, My Lord!" Ryunosuke said, worried.
Cross-Examination
- What the Witnesses Really Saw -
"There was blood on both hands of the assailant. I sincerely and distinctly remember that!" Fairplay yelled. "However...I, I suppose you might say that I didn't see the exact moment the stabbing transpired...if that matters."
"I remember seeing the knife. And, and I remember seeing both of the attacker's hands with blood on them." Furst said.
"I, I d-didn't actually s-see anything myself. No. N-Not until I h-heard that scream." Beppo said.
"Anyway, the fact remains! There can't have been anyone else inside that carriage, or we all would have seen!" Fairplay terrified.
"You should press here." I said, happily.
"Hold it." Ryunosuke said, doing the Hold it pose. "And everything you saw of the incident was through the skylight on the roof of the omnibus?"
"That's right. It was fiercely cold that night, but the glass wasn't frosted over." Fairplay said.
"Oh yes! I remember I was shivering, it was so bitter." Furst said.
"Which rather begs the question of why the pair of you were sitting on the roof deck in the first place." The Judge said.
"Well I don't know about this young fellow, but I couldn't enter the cabin." Fairplay said.
"Oh? Why not?" Ryunosuke asked.
"It was locked from the inside. I tried knocking, but no one opened the door."
"It was locked?"
"That's right! And it's a public bus service, for pity's sake! That's not what I call fair play!"
"Yes, I had exactly the same experience. I tried knocking, but the gent inside just gestured at me to clear off! So I had no choice but to climb up to the roof deck and look down longingly into the warm cabin below." Furst said.
"Well I can assure you I wasn't just looking down! I was glaring! Long and hard! And that's precisely why I can tell you with absolute confidence... ...that if there was anyone else at all in the cabin, I would have noticed!" Fairplay said, worried.
"... Unequivocal, I would say." Van Zieks said.
"That's odd." I said, while Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'I'm not sure about these two witnesses. Could they really have seen everything inside the cabin through the skylight?'
"Ryunosuke, they might not have been able to." I said, as I looked down at the floor.
"Allow me to confirm one thing, Mr Fairplay... You were riding this omnibus... ...and witnessed the events in the cabin through the skylight in the floor of the upper deck. Is that right?" Ryunosuke asked.
"That's right, yes." Fairplay said, smiling.
"In that case... ...there is a portion of the cabin interior that would have been out of sight from you."
"What?!"
"By golly! Really?!" Furst exclaimed.
"Obviously at this stage we can't say for sure... ...but the possibility cannot be denied... ...that at the time of the incident, there could have been another passenger in the enclosed cabin of the omnibus!" Ryunosuke said, angrily.
"Objection." Van Zieks said, doing the Objection pose. "Enough hypothetical meandering! ...My Nipponese friend. The prosecution demands that you substantiate your claims. After all, the scene of the crime is here...in the flesh."
"Very well, I will uphold the prosecution's demand. You will identify the area on this cross-sectional plan of the omnibus. Where exactly in the omnibus are you suggesting that this potential extra passenger could have been situated?" The Judge asked.
"It could be the seat on the right inside the cabin." I said, clutching the strap of my sling bag.
"Take that!" Ryunosuke said, presenting the seat on the right inside the cabin. "Both rows of seats on the roof face in the direction of travel. Whereas the seats in the enclosed cabin face each other. Which means... ...the visible part of the cabin, which passengers on the roof deck can see through the skylight... ...is as I've drawn here."
"Ah!" The Judge said, at a loss for words.
"That's right, My Lord. As you can see... ...the seat opposite the one on which the victim and his attacker were sitting is obscured from view. In other words, if someone had been sitting on that seat... ...it's quite possible that these witnesses would have been completely unaware of it!"
"GAAAAAARGH!" Fairplay said, annoyed.
"Objection." Van Zieks said, doing the Objection pose. "'It's quite possible' some phantom was sitting there? You Nipponese have a forbidding habit of obscuring the truth with ambiguity."
"...!" Ryunosuke said, at a loss for words.
"I concur with the prosecution's rejoinder. In a British court of law, evidence is paramount. I cannot entertain this conjecture, Counsel. That is, unless you're able to put a name to this mysterious passenger to whom you allude?" The Judge asked.
"Can you, Mr Naruhodo?!" Susato exclaimed.
"..." Ryunosuke said, as he thought this to himself. 'I honestly don't know. Who could it have been...? Who could have been in the other seat, which was out of sight from the witnesses on the roof deck?'
"I know who it is. But I can't say because it's spoilers." I said, sadly. "Just say you know, Ryunosuke."
"I understand, My Lord." Ryunosuke said.
"The defence would like to put forward a name." Ryunosuke said.
"...You are a fool. That response was a desperate attempt by a man who has no notion of his own limitations. A toast! ...To hard lessons, not yet learnt!" Van Zieks yelled.
"Let us not delay, Counsel. The defence is still to name the passenger in the other seat." The Judge said.
'This could be it! This could be the chance I've been waiting for to turn the trial in my favour.' Ryunosuke said, thinking that to himself, before speaking aloud. "On that night... On the night of the murder... ...the person occupying the seat in the omnibus cabin that was obscured from view was…"
"It could be Magnus McGilded." I said, frowning.
"Take that!" Ryunosuke said, presenting Magnus McGilded's profile. "The passenger in the enclosed cabin that the witnesses on the roof deck failed to see... ...has to have been Mr Magnus McGilded."
"Mc...?" Fairplay asked.
"Mr McGilded?!" Furst exclaimed.
"What are you talking about, Counsel? That's the name of the defendant!" The Judge cried.
"Objection." Van Zieks said, doing the Objection pose. "...If I desecrate this chamber by smashing my hallowed chalice...do forgive the discourtesy."
"Lord van Zieks!"
"People talk of those tiny island nations in the Far East as having a learning and culture of their own. ...But I see they use the terms ill-advisedly."
"What are you trying to say?" Ryunosuke asked.
"Let me explain in terms that even a student of an artless backwater such as yourself might understand... When the bloody scene unfolded, the victim and his assailant were sitting side by side. Multiple witnesses have attested to the fact. It's the very premise on which this case is built!" Van Zieks said, angrily.
"Objection." Ryunosuke said, doing the Objection pose. "But that premise...may be wrong."
"...What?"
"If the victim really was sitting beside Mr McGilded... ...it creates an inconsistency that can't be reconciled in any way."
"What inconsistency, Counsel?" The Judge asked.
"The defendant's gloves, My Lord." Ryunosuke said.
"...!" Van Zieks said, at a loss for words.
"Both witnesses made the same testimony. They claim that there was blood on both hands of the person sitting next to the victim."
"Objection." Van Zieks said, doing the Objection pose. "Yet we know the truth to be otherwise. Only one glove bears the gory remains."
"Objection." Ryunosuke said, doing the Objection pose. "The point is! ...Even in the face of this irrefutable evidence, both witnesses have maintained their stance."
"Yes, their testimony remains unchanged." The Judge said.
"Exactly. They both adamantly swear... ...that they clearly remember seeing blood on both hands of the assailant. In short! Their memory of events is correct...and their testimony reveals the truth!" Ryunosuke said, angrily.
"...!" Fairplay said, speechless.
"It was somebody else sitting beside the victim that night. A third party we have yet to identify. And the victim's blood was on that passenger's hands! Both of them!"
"Objection." Van Zieks said, doing the Objection pose. "And who was this 'third party'?"
"Obviously...the true culprit!" Ryunosuke said, smirking.
"Ex-traordinary! Ordaaar! Ordaaar! Orrrdaaar! What exactly are you postulating?" The Judge asked.
"Objection." Van Zieks said, doing the Objection pose. "The defence's postulation is just that! Nothing more than conjecture! The witnesses have clearly stated...that they saw the accused!"
"Objection." Ryunosuke said, doing the Objection pose. "But when elaborating on his testimony... ...Mr Fairplay said, 'The two of them were wearing hats and I couldn't exactly make out their faces.'"
"Hm... Yes... The tops of their heads were obscured by the roof. I could see the rest of them, though." Fairplay said, letting out a sigh.
"Yes, that's right. Both gents were most certainly hatted. Hatters do tend to notice such things, sir." Furst said.
"And what particular styles of hat did the two gentlemen sport, Mr Furst?" The Judge asked.
"... I'm afraid I...don't remember."
"Wish they were a bit mad." I said, as Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'And you call yourself a hatter...?'
"The style of hat makes no difference! There was no third passenger in that cabin!" Van Zieks yelled.
"How can you be sure?" Ryunosuke asked.
"Because if there had been... ...the accused, Mr McGilded, would undoubtedly have offered to depose the fact!"
"...!"
"Unless, that is, you are proposing an even more preposterous explanation? That the accused failed even to notice the presence of the true culprit in the very cabin in which he travelled?"
"Ah!" Ryunosuke said, and he thought this to himself. 'He's right... If there was another person travelling in the enclosed cabin of the omnibus... ...it's inconceivable that Mr McGilded would have been unaware of it.'
"Ordaaar! There is clearly a simple solution to this 'problem'." The Judge said.
"Bring the accused, Mr McGilded, to the stand?" Van Zieks asked.
"Well, what say you, Counsel?"
"The prosecution objects, My Lord."
"On what grounds?"
"As a suspect, he will have already made a full statement to the police."
"But, but what if there's some reason why he's unable to speak freely?" Ryunosuke asked.
"Magnus McGilded is no uneducated ruffian." Van Zieks said, scoffing.
"...!"
"If it indeed turns out the man has been withholding information... ...you can be sure it will have been a most deliberate act."
"Hm... Counsel for the Defence, what is your opinion?" The Judge asked.
"My Lord…" Ryunosuke said, while he thought this to himself. 'Should we ask Mr McGilded to testify...or not?'
"Ryunosuke, you should demand his testimony." I said, clutching the strap of my sling bag. "We need to hear it."
'Yes, we need to hear what he has to say in order to find out the truth.' Ryunosuke said, as he thought this to himself, before speaking aloud. "The defence would like to call Mr McGilded to the stand!"
"Hm... In that case, I would like to hear the opinion of the jury." The Judge said.
"Ah, yes, erm... I need a little time to consider this…" Juror No. 1 said.
"If you ask me, I think we should hear what Mr McGilded has to say." Juror No. 2 said.
"Get the man out here, I say!" Juror No. 3 yelled.
"It would be utterly illogical not to hear his testimony." Juror No. 4 said.
"When something needs doing, get it done! That's how I run things at the guild!" Juror No. 5 cried.
"Hearing what the patron of my favourite little park has to say? Oh yes, that would be lovely." Juror No. 6 said, happily.
"Yes! The jury says the man must be heard!" Juror No. 1 said, angrily.
"Very well. The court will hear the defendant's testimony. Bailiff! Show the defendant to the stand at once!" The Judge said.
"..." Ryunosuke said, and he thought this to himself. 'Now, maybe what actually happened that night... ...will finally become clear.'
Magnus McGilded went up to the witness stand again.
"Let proceedings be resumed. Mr McGilded... ...have you been listening to the discourse of the day?" The Judge asked.
"To be sure I have, My Lord." McGilded said.
"There are now two matters on which the court desires to hear from you. The first... ...is whether or not there was a third party with you in the omnibus cabin, as proposed by the defence. The second... ...is that if such a person was indeed present, why did you conceal that fact from the police?"
"...... Begad, no! 'Tis not in my nature to hide anytin' at all."
"Just answer the questions, please." Van Zieks said.
"The truth of the matter is, I've been desperate about this all along. Do I tell youse all, or keep me mouth shut?" McGilded asked.
"...! Tell us what, Mr McGilded?" Ryunosuke asked.
"......" Van Zieks said, speechless.
"The fine fella representin' me is absolutely right. In the carriage on the night with meself and the other man, there was another passenger." McGilded said.
"It's true?!" The Judge exclaimed.
"Aye, and 'twas me who helped the little urchin get away after it all happened."
"You... WHAAAAAAAAAT?!" Ryunosuke exclaimed.
"Ryunosuke, he said he was helping a child." I said, sadly.
"...... No, Magnus McGilded. That convenient excuse can't save you now." Van Zieks said, looking at McGilded.
"I'm truly sorry, so I am, Lord van Zieks! I'm sure you'll be wantin' to know why I said nuttin' when I was taken in by the police. I do be havin' a very good reason, I assure you." McGilded said, frowning.
"Which was...?" The Judge asked.
"Well, the little child was just in the wrong place at the wrong time, and not in any way involved, you see."
"What?" Van Zieks asked.
"If the police had known the wee one was there... ...they'd have assumed she'd done it. They'd have hauled her into this here courtroom, just like meself. I was only tryin' to spare her that. ...Young hearts and young minds are easily damaged, My Lord."
"......"
"Hm... And who was this young child of whom you speak?" The Judge asked.
"That...I don't know." McGilded said.
"You don't know?"
"Aye, well, the wee ting just happened to be in the carriage that night. I never saw her before or since."
"Objection." Van Zieks said, doing the Objection pose. "We have absolutely no reason to believe this man. The prosecution calls for the witness's statements to be disregarded by the court."
"You know, I wouldn't be surprised... ...if the urchin isn't here in this courtroom as we speak, listenin' to the proceedings." McGilded said.
"What?" Ryunosuke asked.
*BANG!*
"Ah! Smoke!"
"AAAAAAGH!"
"Fire! There's a fire!"
"Look! Someone's trying to get away!"
"Damn it, Gina!" I said, coughing a lot. "Why did Iris give you a grenade launcher?"
"After them!"
"It's no use!"
"Ugh!" I yelled, coughing still. "I seriously need to ask Iris for mine later."
"I, I can't see anything through all this smoke!"
"What is going on?!" Ryunosuke exclaimed.
"Be careful, Mr Naruhodo, Jared! Cover your faces!" Susato cried, looking between Ryunosuke and I.
"Bailiff! Don't let the accused escape! Secure the omnibus!" Van Zieks said, worried.
"I hereby call an emergency recess! Bailiff! Ensure the defendant is in custody, and clear the courtroom!" The Judge said, angrily.
"We were hurriedly removed from the smoke-filled courtroom by the bailiff... ...amid scenes of chaos as people stumbled over one another in their desperation to flee the chamber. We had no idea what was happening. All we knew was that, for the time being at least, the trial was suspended." Ryunosuke said, as a voiceover.