Chapter 4

           Theaftermathoftheshootingwasathree-ringcircuswiththegovernorinonering,theprisoninanother,andpoorbrain-blastedPercyWetmoreinthethird.Andtheringmaster?Well,thevariousgentlemenofthepresstookturnsatthatjob.Theyweren’tasbadthenastheyarenow—theydidn’tallowthemselvestobeasbad—butevenbackthenbeforeGeraldoandMikeWallaceandtherestofthem,theycouldgallopalongprettygoodwhentheyreallygotthebitintheirteeth.Thatwaswhathappenedthistime,andwhiletheshowlasted,itwasagoodone.

           Buteventheliveliestcircus,theonewiththescariestfreaks,funniestclowns,andwildestanimals,hastoleavetowneventually.ThisoneleftaftertheBoardofEnquiry,whichsoundsprettyspecialandfearsome,butactuallyturnedouttobeprettytameandperfunctory.Underothercircumstances,thegovernorundoubtedlywouldhavedemandedsomeone’sheadonaplatter,butnotthistime.Hisnephewbymarriage—hiswife’sownbloodkin—hadgonecrackersandkilledaman.Hadkilledakiller—therewasthat,atleast,andthankGodforit—butPercyhadstillshotthemanashelaysleepinginhiscell,whichwasnotquitesporting.WhenyouaddedinthefactthattheyoungmaninquestionremainedjustasmadasaMarchhare,youcouldunderstandwhythegovernoronlywantedittogoaway,andassoonaspossible.

           OurtriptoWardenMoores’shouseinHarryTerwilliger’strucknevercameout.