But Judge Hoyt was solemn enough now.
[“Send away that boy!”] he said sternly; “is this matter to be made a burlesque on the Law? a comic opera of ‘Trial by Jury?’ Order him out, Avice, I’ll see him later.”
And Fibsy was ordered out. No one could take seriously the sort of talk he had treated them to.
But the boy was not covered with confusion. Nor did he even appear chagrined at his misbehaviour. He looked thoughtful and wondering. He gazed at Hoyt with an unseeing, almost uncanny stare. He walked to the door, and as he left the room, he exploded his breath in a deep-toned “Gee!”
Whiting looked after the boy a little uncertainly. Hoyt looked at Whiting.
But the prosecuting attorney could see no reason to recall the lad, and though he felt there was something going on he couldn’t fathom, he could get no glimmer of an idea as to its nature.
Judge Hoyt smiled, and try as he would, Whiting could not discern the meaning or intent of that smile.
Fleming Stone remained, after the others left, for a talk with Avice.
“None of them recognized me,” he said, “I’ve not been in New York for a year or more, and though I have seen Judge Hoyt before, we were not personally acquainted.”
“The judge is doing his best,” said Avice, wearily, “but he is very fearful of the outcome. It is strange there is so much circumstancial evidence against Mr. Landon, when he is entirely innocent.”