root, to grow with the rank and lawless
swiftness of the tropics. I had had a long conversation with Marcus that
evening in which he had outlined his plans for the examining trials. He
meant to strike a bold and unexpected blow, using me as his star
witness.

All that the county judge could do would be to fix a bond for answering
to the grand jury, but the circuit court was also under the influence of
the dictator, and later when the trials came up on that docket the
prosecution would become persecution. Garvin would, however, fix a light
bond, he thought, in the preliminary hearing and would expect Marcus to
await the main issue later. Therefore, he meant to forestall the attack
with an attack in the county court. His enemies would rely on his
reputation as a supporter of law and order to make his warfare a warfare
within the law, and that would also lull them into expecting only
formal and preparatory fencing at the hearing of next Wednesday.

"When I take the course which I mean to take," the attorney had assured
me, "it will be in the nature of exploding a bomb and may precipitate
trouble. If I had the power to do so I should ask for a militia
detachment to be present and preserve order, but unfortunately such a
call can come only from some civil officer such as the circuit
judge--and he is not disposed to act on my request. I shall have to
satisfy myself with having in town every anti-Garvin man whom I can
bring there. Garvin doesn't want a general battle just now. He doesn't
want to attract outside clamor. He wants to move in the dark, so I think
he will instruct against an outbreak in the streets or court-room. But
there is one thing I can do, and that I am arranging. I am held in some
respect by the papers of Louisville and Lexington, and I have written a
rather full statement of conditions here and asked that reporters be
present in the court-room on Wednesday. That will mean that whatever
transpires cannot be hushed up. Then I shall move to swear Garvin off
the bench, announcing openly that his jackal led this ambuscade in
obedience to his own orders. That will be my surprise and my proof of it
will be your testimony. If he suspected it he would find a way to
silence you. Even as it is he knows you recognized Dawson and you must
be cautious. He may seek to keep you out of court."

At length I slipped out and stood for a while leaning against a post of
the porch, although the air was sharp with frost, and th