"I understand that this is the last witness to be called against you," said he. "Do you propose to cross-examine him?"
"I do."
"And may I ask if you have any witnesses to call for your defence?"
"I may have one."
"Then it becomes my duty to adjourn the case." He whispered again to the inspector, and at greater length with his colleagues, James Preston appearing tenacious of some point upon which the chairman ultimately gave way. "As the police have completed their case," continued Wilders, "a remand of one day will be sufficient, and we shall simply adjourn until to-morrow morning. But you may, if you like, apply for bail; though the question, having due regard to the evidence which we have heard, is one that would now require our grave consideration."
"You may spare yourselves the trouble," said Carlton shortly. "I don't want bail."
And he went back to prison to lament his temper, but not to go through the form of further prayer for patience and humility; for he felt that these were beyond him in that public court, packed with prejudice from door to door.
"I told you what he'd say," grumbled Wilders in the retiring-room.
"I don't blame him," said Mr. Preston. "My dear sir, he's innocent of this!"
"I shall form my opinion to-morrow," returned the canon, with dignity. "Meanwhile I confess to some curiosity as to whom he thinks of calling as his witness."