"Too quiet, eh?"

"Perhaps. Folks that know him well declare they never before saw him
conduct a case in so temperate a manner. He has scarcely made an effort
at cross-examination, and, in fact, has thus far won nothing for the
defence except that astonishing tribute to the prisoner's character
given by Mr. Goodman."

"Mr. Goodman is Mansell's friend."

"I know it; but his short, decisive statements told upon the jury. Such
a man as he made Mansell out to be is just the sort to create an
impression on a body of men like them."

"Orcutt understands a jury."

"Orcutt understands his case. He knows he can make nothing by attempting
to shake the evidence which has been presented by the prosecution; the
facts are too clear, and the witnesses which have been called to testify
are of too reliable a character. Whatever defence he contemplates, it
will not rest upon a denial of any of the facts brought to light through
our efforts, or the evidence of such persons as Messrs. Goodman and
Harrison."

"No."

"The question is, then, in what will it lie? Some strong point, I
warrant you, or he would not hold himself and his plans so completely in
reserve. But what strong point? I acknowledge the uncertainty troubles
me."

"I don't wonder," rejoined Hickory. "So it does me."

And a constraint again fell between them that lasted till Hickory put
his pipe in his pocket and signified his intention of returning to his
own apartments.

XXVIII.

THE CHIEF WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION.

Oh, while you live tell truth and shame the devil!
--HENRY IV.

MR. BYRD'S countenance after the departure of his companion was any
thing but cheerful. The fact is, he was secretly uneasy. He dreaded the
morrow. He dreaded the testimony of Miss Dare. He had not yet escaped so
fully from under the dominion of her fascinations as to regard with
equanimity this unhappy woman forcing herself to give testimony
compromising to the man she loved.

Yet when the morrow came he was among the first to secure a seat in the
court-room. Though the scene was likely to be harrowing to his feelings,
he had no wish to lose it, and, indeed, chose such a position as would
give him the best opportunity for observing the prisoner and surveying
the witnesses.

He was not the only one on the look-out for the testimony of Miss Dare.
The increased number of the spectators and the general air of
expe