orld, and pronounced in loud voice this formula:

"Oy's, oy's, oy's! The hon'r'bl' circuit court of the _hum_teenth
judicial de-strict is now in session, pursu'nt t' 'j'urnm'nt!"

Captain Taylor turned about as the last word went echoing against the
First National Bank, and walked slowly up the stairs. He opened the
court-room door and closed it; he placed his back against it, and folded
his arms upon his breast, his eyes fixed upon a stain on the wall.

Judge Maxwell took up some papers from the desk, and spread one of them
before him.

"In the matter of Case No. 79, State _vs._ Newbolt. Gentlemen, are you
ready for trial?"

The judge spoke in low and confidential voice, meant for the attorneys
at the bar only. It scarcely carried to the back of the room, filled
with the sound-killing vapors from five hundred mouths, and many of the
old men in the front seats failed to catch it, even though they cupped
their hands behind their ears.

Sam Lucas, prosecuting attorney, rose.

Slight and pale, with a thin chest and a stoop forward, he was
distinguished by the sharp eyes beside his flat-bridged nose, so
flattened out, it seemed, by some old blow, that they could almost
communicate with each other across it. His light, loose hair was very
long; when he warmed up in speaking he shook it until it tumbled about
his eyes. Then it was his habit to sweep it back with the palm of his
hand in a long, swinging movement of the arm. It was a most expressive
gesture; it seemed as if by it he rowed himself back into the placid
waters of reasoning. Now, as he stood before Judge Maxwell, he swept his
palm over his forelock, although it lay snug and unruffled in its
place.

"Your honor, the state is ready," said he, and remained standing.

Hammer pushed his books along the table, shuffled his papers, and
rose ponderously. He thrust his right hand into the bosom of his coat
and leaned slightly against the left in an attitude of scholarly
preparedness.

"Your honor, the defense is ready," he announced.

CHAPTER XVI

"SHE COMETH NOT," HE SAID

Joe, his face as white as some plant that has sprung in a dungeon, bent
his head toward his mother, and placed his free hand on hers where it
lay on the arm of her chair.

"It will soon be over with now, Mother," he encouraged, with the hope in
his heart that it would, indeed, be so.

With an underling in his place at the door, Captain Taylor advanced to
take charge of the mar