Всадник без головы

Chapter 87

           Hehasbeentoldofmuchthattranspiredduringthosedarkoblivioushours.Henowknowsthatwhathehadfanciedtobeonlyasweet,heavenlyvision,wasafarsweeterrealityofearth.

           Thatwoman’sface,shiningdream-likeoverhiscouch,wasthesamenowseenthroughthecurtainsofthecalèche;andtheexpressionuponittellshim:thatamongthefrowningspectatorshehasonefriendwhowillbetruetotheendeventhoughitbedeath!

           Thetrialbegins.

           Thereisnotmuchceremonyinitsinception.Thejudgetakesoffhishatstrikesalucifer-match;andfreshlyigniteshiscigar.

           Afterhalfadozendraws,hetakesthe"weed"frombetweenhisteeth,laysitstillsmokingalongthetable,andsays

           "Gentlemenofthejury!Wearehereassembledtotryacase,theparticularsofwhichare,Ibelieve,knowntoallofyou.Amanhasbeenmurdered,thesonofoneofourmostrespectedcitizens;andtheprisoneratthebarisaccusedofhavingcommittedthecrime.Itismydutytodirectyouastothelegalformalitiesofthetrial.Itisyourstodecideafterhearingtheevidencetobelaidbeforeyouwhetherornottheaccusationbesustained."

           Theprisonerisasked,accordingtotheusualformality,"Guilty,ornotguilty?"

           "Notguilty,"isthereply;deliveredinafirm,butmodesttone.

           CassiusCalhoun,andsome"rowdies"aroundhim,affectanincreduloussneer.

           Thejudgeresumeshiscigar,andremainssilent.

           ThecounselfortheState,aftersomeintroductoryremarks,proceedstointroducethewitnessesfortheprosecution.

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