The captain of police answered the question, relating also where and under what circumstances the capture was made.
"What have you to say for yourself, my man?" he asked, turning to the prisoner.
"I am innocent," was the reply in trembling accents.
"Of course. You all are. I never had a man brought before me who was not innocent," said the magistrate with a sneer. "Have you any accomplices?"
"Your honor, I am innocent, as I have already told you."
"Answer my question!" said the magistrate sternly.
"No, your honor."
"Ha! You alone are guilty then. Captain, are there any witnesses? though it is hardly necessary. The man's face shows his guilt."
It will easily be seen how much hope the prisoner had of getting off with such a judge presiding at the trial. Luckily for the cause of justice the man was undoubtedly guilty, and so the judicial proceedings, hurried and one-sided as they were, did not entail any injustice. In half an hour the trial was completed, a conviction was obtained, and the unhappy wretch was sentenced to execution on the following morning. Meanwhile he was to be confined in a structure set apart as a prison.
"Well, are you satisfied?" asked the captain, as he passed the ringleader of the miners.