“Gun-shy?” said Judge Hinkle.
“Watch him!” said Johnny rapturously.
The judge’s eye rested on Mr. Wade with frank distaste.
“We will now have another gross instance of collusion,” he announced. “I will call on Frank Bojarquez to assist the court.”
Francisco Bojarquez upreared his straight length at the back of the hall.
“Excuse, please, if I seem to tell the judge what he is to do. But what Mistair Wade says, it is true a little—or it might seem true to estrangers. For us in Hillsboro, frien’s togethair, eet does not mattair; we know. But because the worl’ ees full of estrangers—theenk, Judge Hinkle, eef it is not bes’ that it ees not a great frien’ of the preesoner who is to examine that horse—what? That no estranger may have some doubts? There are so many estrangers.”
“Humph! There is something in that.” The justice scratched his ear. “Very well. George Scarboro, stand up. Are you acquainted with this prisoner?”
“No, sir.”