e
transpired since last night to give encouragement to the prosecution?"

The lawyer, startled, glanced hastily about him and shook his head.

"No," he cried; "impossible! What could have transpired?"

"Look at Mr. Ferris," whispered the prisoner, "and then at the witness
who wears a veil."

With an unaccountable feeling of reluctance, Mr. Orcutt hastily
complied. His first glance at the District Attorney made him thoughtful.
He recognized the look which his opponent wore; he had seen it many a
time before this, and knew what it indicated. As for Imogene, who could
tell what went on in that determined breast? The close black veil
revealed nothing. Mr. Orcutt impatiently turned back to his client.

"I think you alarm yourself unnecessarily," he whispered. "Ferris means
to fight, but what of that? He wouldn't be fit for his position if he
didn't struggle to the last gasp even for a failing cause."

Yet in saying this his lip took its sternest line, and from the glitter
of his eye and the close contraction of his brow it looked as if he were
polishing his own weapons for the conflict he thus unexpectedly saw
before him.

Meantime, across the court-room, another whispered conference was going
on.

"Hickory, where have you been ever since last night? I have not been
able to find you anywhere."

"I was on duty; I had a bird to look after."

"A bird?"

"Yes, a wild bird; one who is none too fond of its cage; a desperate one
who might find means to force aside its bars and fly away."

"What do you mean, Hickory? What nonsense is this?"

"Look at Miss Dare and perhaps you will understand."

"Miss Dare?"

"Yes."

Horace's eyes opened in secret alarm.

"Do you mean----"

"I mean that I spent the whole night in tramping up and down in front of
her window. And a dismal task it was too. Her lamp burned till
daylight."

Here the court was called to order and Byrd had only opportunity to ask:

"Why does she wear a veil?"

To which the other whisperingly retorted:

"Why did she spend the whole night in packing up her worldly goods and
writing a letter to the Congregational minister to be sent after the
adjournment of court to-day?"

"Did she do that?"

"She did."

"Hickory, don't _you_ know--haven't you been told what she is expected
to say or do here to-day?"

"No."

"You only guess?"

"No, I don't guess."

"You fear, then?"

"Fear! Well, that's a big word to a fellow like me. I don't know as