Glancing in the
direction of the court-house, he observed that the square before
it held other groups. But what impressed him more was the
ominous silence that was everywhere. At his elbow the judge was
breathing deep.
"We are face to face with a very deplorable condition, Mr. Yancy.
Court was to sit here to-day, but judge Morrow and the public
prosecutor have left town, and as you see, Murrell's friends have
gathered for a rescue. There's a sprinkling of the better
element--but only a sprinkling. I saw judge Morrow this morning
at four o'clock--I told him I would obligate myself to present
for his consideration evidence of a striking and sensational
character, evidence which would show conclusively that Murrell
should be held to await the action of the next grand jury--this
was after a conference with Hues--I guaranteed his safety. Sir,
the man refused to listen to me! He showed himself utterly
devoid of any feeling of public duty." The bitter sense of
failure and futility was leaving the judge. The situation made
its demands on that basic faith in his own powers which remained
imbedded in his character.
They had entered the court-house square. 'On the steps of the
building Betts was arguing loudly with Hues, who stood in the
doorway, rifle in hand.
"Maybe you don't know this is county property?" the sheriff was
saying. "And that you have taken unlawful possession of it for
an unlawful purpose? I am going to open them doors-a passel of
strangers can't keep folks out of a building their own money has
bought and paid for!" While he was speaking, the judge had
pushed his way through the crowd to the foot of the steps.
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