"I wouldn't ask no questions,
sir, if I was you. Sometimes it's best not; they tell against the
accused."
"Time's up," called out the one who was in the hall, to his fellow. "We
can't stop here all day."
The hint was taken at once, both by Arthur and the man. Constance had
kept herself still, throughout, by main force; but Mrs. Channing could
not see him go away like this. She rose and threw her arms round him,
in a burst of hysterical feeling, sobbing out, "My boy! my boy!"
"Don't, mother! don't unnerve me," he whispered. "It is bad enough as
it is."
"But you cannot be guilty, Arthur."
For answer he looked into her eyes for a single moment. His habitual
expression had come back to them again--the earnest of truth, which she
had ever known and trusted. It spoke calm to her heart now. "You are
innocent," she murmured. "Then go in peace."
Annabel broke into a storm of sobs. "Oh, Judith! will they hang him?
What has he done?"
"I'd hang them two policemen, if I did what I should like to do,"
responded Judith. "Yes, you two, I mean," she added, without ceremony,
as the officials turned round at the words. "If I had my will, I'd hang
you both up to two of those elm-trees yonder, right in front of one
another. Coming to a gentleman's house on this errand!"
"Do not take me publicly through the streets," said Arthur to his
keepers. "I give you my word to make no resistance: I will go to the
Guildhall, or anywhere else that you please, as freely as if I were
bound thither on my own pleasure.
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