` Your father ? but I do n't know him . What do you mean ? ' asked the poor man , who was quite bewildered with his sudden rush through the air , and could not think why he should be accused of this fresh crime . But he got no reply , and was only hurried through the streets to the court-house , where his brother , the muleteer , and the farmer had just arrived , all as angry as ever , all talking at once , till the judge entered and ordered them to be silent . ' I will hear you one by one , ' he said , and motioned the younger brother to begin . He did not take long to state his case . The unfinished houses were his , left him with the rest of the property by his father , and his brother refused to give them up . In answer , the poor man told , in a few words , how he had begged the houses from his brother , and produced the deed of gift which made him their owner . The judge listened quietly and asked a few questions ; then he gave his verdict . ` The houses shall remain the property of the man to whom they were given , and to whom they belong . And as you , ' he added , turning to the younger brother , ` brought this accusation knowing full well it was wicked and unjust , I order you , besides losing the houses , to pay a thousand pounds damages to your brother . ' The rich man heard the judge with rage in his heart , the poor man with surprise and gratitude . But he was not safe yet , for now it was the turn of the farmer . The judge could hardly conceal a smile at the story , and inquired if the wife was dead before the farmer left the house , and received for answer that he was in such a hurry for justice to be done that he had not waited to see . Then the poor man told his tale , and once more judgment was given in his favour , while twelve hundred pounds was ordered to be paid him . As for the muleteer , he was informed very plainly that he had proved himself mean and ungrateful for the help that had been given him , and as a punishment he must pay to the poor man a fine of fifty pounds , and hand him over the mule till his tail had grown again . Lastly , there came the two sons of the sick man . ` This is the wretch who killed our father , ' they said , ` and we demand that he should die also . ' ` How did you kill him ? '
asked the judge , turning to the accused , and the poor man told how he had leaped XXXXX the wall , not knowing that anyone was beneath .
as before besides by from of that till while with