The two men passed into the room, closing the door tightly behind them. They were gone nearly quarter of an hour—a long wait for me. I wondered what could be the nature of Mr. Woodward's accusation against me, but failed to solve the mystery.
At length they came out. Judge Penfold's face was a trifle sterner than before. Mr. Woodward looked pleased, as if his argument had proven conclusive.
"You will take Strong to the jail at once," said the judge to Parsons "and tell Booth to be careful of his prisoner."
"Yes, sir."
"Don't let him escape," added Aaron Woodward, anxiously. "Don't let him escape, sir, under any circumstances."
"No fear," was Parsons's ready answer. "I never had one of 'em give me the slip yet."
And with great gravity he drew from his pocket a pair of ancient handcuffs, one of which he attached to my wrist and the other to his own.
"Come, Roger. Better take it easy," he said. "No use of kicking. March!"
"But I'd like to know something about this," I protested. "What right&—"
"It is all quite legal," put in Judge Penfold, pompously. "I understand the law perfectly."