“Well, sir,” Romer continued, “I put it before Mr. Orson in that shape, and I argued with him a long time about it. But what struck him was this. ’What’ll the public say?’ he asked. ’Now it’s got into the papers, there’ll be the dickens to pay, if we don’t push it.’ And you can’t deny, Ripley, that that’s a pretty serious difficulty. Well, he and I, we talked it over, and considered the pros and cons, and the upshot of it was that he said, ’All right, Romer. I have no desire to carry the matter further than is necessary to set us right before the public. So, what I’ll consent to do is to have bail fixed in a large sum—say twenty-five thousand dollars—and then she must plead in open court. That’ll satisfy the reporters. Then we’ll put the indictment back into the safe, and let it lie. As long as we’re solid with the public, I don’t care.’ That’s what Mr. Orson said. So now, you see, she’s got to plead in open court, to prevent the newspapers from raising Cain with us, and the bail’s got to be pretty considerable for the same reason. But after that’s settled, you can take her home, and rest easy. As long as we’re in office the charge won’t be revived; and by the time we’re superseded, it will be an old story and forgotten by all hands.”
“You see,” Mr. Flint said, “how much we have to thank Mr. Romer for.”
“And I hope Mr. Romer will believe that we appreciate his kindness,” added Hetzel.
“I—I—God bless you, Romer,” blurted out Arthur.
“Well,” said Romer, “to come down to particulars, we’ve got a crowded calendar to-day, and so the court room is likely to be full of people. I wanted to make this pleading business as easy as possible for her, and on that account I’ve sent an officer after her already. Just as soon as the judge arrives, she can put in her plea. Then we’ll all come back here, and have the papers signed; and then you can go home and be happy. Now, if you’ll follow me, I’ll take you into the court room by the side entrance.”
“Oh, we—I don’t want to go into the court room. I couldn’t stand it. Let us wait here till it’s over,” whimpered Arthur, through chattering teeth.
Romer looked surprised. “Just as you please,” said he; “but prisoners generally like to see a friendly face near them, when they’re called up to plead.”
“Ripley doesn’t know what he’s saying,” put in Hetzel. “Of course we will follow you into court.” In a lower tone, turning to Arthur, “You don’t mean that you want her to go through that ordeal alone, do you?” he demanded.
“Oh, I forgot about that,” Arthur confessed.
“But—but,” asked Mrs. Hart, “can’t we see her and speak to her before she has to appear in court?”