nt Davison says Mr. Cowperwood
is an honorable, honest man, and so does his counsel, Mr. Steger. You
have heard the testimony. Now you think it over. If you want to turn him
loose--turn him loose. [He waved his hand wearily.] You're the judges.
I wouldn't; but then I am merely a hard-working lawyer--one person, one
opinion. You may think differently--that's your business. [He waved his
hand suggestively, almost contemptuously.] However, I'm through, and I
thank you for your courtesy. Gentlemen, the decision rests with you."

He turned away grandly, and the jury stirred--so did the idle spectators
in the court. Judge Payderson sighed a sigh of relief. It was now quite
dark, and the flaring gas forms in the court were all brightly lighted.
Outside one could see that it was snowing. The judge stirred among his
papers wearily, and turning to the jurors solemnly, began his customary
explanation of the law, after which they filed out to the jury-room.

Cowperwood turned to his father who now came over across the
fast-emptying court, and said:

"Well, we'll know now in a little while."

"Yes," replied Cowperwood, Sr., a little wearily. "I hope it comes out
right. I saw Butler back there a little while ago."

"Did you?" queried Cowperwood, to whom this had a peculiar interest.

"Yes," replied his father. "He's just gone."

So, Cowperwood thought, Butler was curious enough as to his fate to want
to come here and watch him tried. Shannon was his tool. Judge Payderson
was his emissary, in a way. He, Cowperwood, might defeat him in the
matter of his daughter, but it was not so easy to defeat him here
unless the jury should happen to take a sympathetic attitude. They might
convict him, and then Butler's Judge Payderson would have the privilege
of sentencing him--giving him the maximum sentence. That would not be so
nice--five years! He cooled a little as he thought of it, but there was
no use worrying about what had not yet happened. Steger came forward and
told him that his bail was now ended--had been the moment the jury left
the room--and that he was at this moment actually in the care of
the sheriff, of whom he knew--Sheriff Adlai Jaspers. Unless he were
acquitted by the jury, Steger added, he would have to remain in the
sheriff's care until an application for a certificate of reasonable
doubt could be made and acted upon.

"It would take all of five days, Frank," Steger said, "but Jaspers isn't
a bad sort. He'd be reaso