"Time you were off, boys," said Uncle Ben.
"Take your places," continued Frank.
The members of the club seemed to feel that they were not going on a pleasure excursion, and there was hardly a smile to be seen on their faces. They were quiet, and very orderly, and moved slowly and with a good deal of dignity into the boat.
The Zephyr backed out of her berth, and the oars fell into the water.
"Give way," said Frank, as he laid the course of the boat towards Rippleton. "We will not hoist our flags going down."
The crew pulled steadily, and not a word was spoken on the way. Every member was thinking of poor Tony, and every one was hoping and believing he would be acquitted.
On their arrival at Rippleton, Frank formed them in procession, two by two, and marched up to the court-house. More than once, as they pa.s.sed through the streets, the people, recognizing Tony, l.u.s.tily cheered him.
Since the rescue of Tim Bunker, he had been a hero in the village. His misfortunes, added to his n.o.ble, generous character, excited all the sympathies of the people.
When they reached the court-house, the sheriff, as a special mark of consideration, conducted them to seats where they could see and hear all that was done and said.
Squire Benson was at the table, and the jury were in their seats, but the court had not yet come in. Captain Sedley and Mrs. Weston had chairs by the side of Tony"s counsel, and they were engaged in an earnest conversation with him.
"Where shall I stay?" asked Tony of the sheriff.
"I suppose you must take your place in the dock," replied the official.
"I am ready."
There was a sudden silence in the room, as the sheriff conducted the little prisoner to the box appropriated to criminals. The audience felt deeply for him, and his poor mother burst into tears.
The judge took his seat on the bench, and the crier opened the court.
The indictment was read; and Tony, in a firm, and even cheerful tone, pleaded "not guilty."
The county attorney made his opening address, and the witnesses for the prosecution were sworn. These consisted of Farmer Whipple, Mr. Headley, Charles Hardy, Frank Sedley, and Tim Bunker, the latter of whom was brought into court by a constable.
The testimony was substantially the same as at the examination. It was proved that Tony was in the wood-house, had seen the wallet, and left his companions to find Farmer Whipple; that he had been seen to put something into his pocket, and finally that the lost wallet, with a portion of the money, had been found in his pocket.
It was a clear case, and when the evidence was concluded Mrs. Weston sobbed bitterly.
"Be comforted, madam, your son shall be proved innocent in a few moments," said Squire Benson.
The cross examination of Tim Bunker was very long and very severe; and though he still adhered to the story he had told at the examination, he was confused, stammered a great deal, and tried to be saucy to the lawyer. His statements were so contradictory at times, that a general disposition to laugh pervaded the minds of the audience. At these times, when he so grossly crossed himself, Squire Benson looked significantly at the jury, as though to invite their special attention to the discrepancies.
Tony"s counsel then opened the case for the defence. His address was very short, but very pointed and forcible.
The first witness was Mr. Doolittle, the store-keeper, who testified to the facts concerning the twenty dollar bill.
"Is that the bill you marked?" asked the lawyer, handing him a bank-note.
"It is," replied the witness, after examining it.
"You are willing to swear that is the bill?"
"I am."
"Please state to the court and jury the means by which you identify it."
The witness exhibited his shop-card upon the back of it, and pointed out several other peculiarities which he had observed while stamping it.
"Mr. Stevens," said the lawyer. "That will do, Mr. Doolittle."
The person called took the stand. He was a stranger in Rippleton, and the audience wondered what he could possibly know about it.
"Your business, Mr. Stevens?" continued the lawyer, scratching furiously with his pen.
"I keep a hardware store in Boston."
"Did you ever see this bill?" and Squire Benson handed him the bank-note.
"I have."
"State, if you please, what you know about it."
"It was given to me in payment for a fowling-piece."
"When?"
The witness gave the date.
"Can you swear to the bill?"
"I can; I wrote my name and the day of the month on it at the time; here they are."
"Indeed! how happened you to do that?"
"I did it at the request of the gentleman who sits by your side;" and the witness pointed to Captain Sedley.
"Who was the person that gave you the bill?"
"I do not know his name."
"Could you identify him?"
"I could."
Squire Benson requested the court to have Joe Braman summoned as a witness in the case; and after a short delay, he was brought in by an officer.
"Was that the person?"
"It was."
"You are sure?"