“Silence!”
“I foun’ it, sah,” he answered evasively.
“Now, Isaac, you want to be very careful how you answer my next question.”
The lawyer took the knife from the Negro’s hand and felt of its point.
“You will notice that a tiny piece is broken off the tip of this blade. I hold in my hand the little bit of steel which exactly fits there. It was found embedded in a bone in Judge Butler’s body. This is the knife that struck the death-blow. Did you own that knife the night of the murder? Answer me!”
Isaac fumbled his handkerchief again and looked about the room helplessly.
Larkin rose carelessly and started from the court room. Ackerman, watching him keenly, sprang to his side.
“Don’t leave, Larkin, we want you as a witness in a moment,” he whispered.
“I’ll return immediately,” the Carpetbagger replied, increasing his haste.
“Wait!” Ackerman commanded.