"He professes to be a Spaniard, from Cuba," responded the gentleman; "but I confess that I have my doubts upon that point. He pretends, too, that he cannot understand a word of English; but when I was conversing with the gentleman who accompanied me to the prison, the man listened as if he comprehended as well as any of us. The crime for which he was arrested is murder upon the sea. It seems that there was a very bad set among the crew; and they formed a conspiracy, headed by this man, to kill the captain, two mates and the cabin-boy, and then seize the vessel."
"Oh shocking!" exclaimed Ella. "But did they succeed?"
"Only in part. They murdered one of the mates and the poor boy, who could not be persuaded to join them. The captain by some means found them out in time to save his own life. Sandoval, as he calls himself, was put in irons, and the others closely watched until they reached the port from which they were all sent here for trial."
"Who went with you, Harrison?"
"A gentleman by the name of Captain Greyson,—a fine man, whom I like extremely. I shall want you to become acquainted with him. He seems quite sure that he once returned from Calcutta in a ship with the prisoner, and that he is not a Spaniard, as he pretends. He also is to be one of the jury men."
"Well, whoever he is," sighed the lady, "I'm sure I pity him with all my heart. I wonder whether he has any friends. When I hear of a very bad man, I always think what mamma and I suffered about poor Alfred. Husband," she added, after a moment's pause, "you needn't send Robert out; I don't think I could enjoy riding when I thought of you in the jury-box."
"Nonsense, dear!" he exclaimed, patting her head fondly. "It will be a comfort to me to know that you are enjoying yourself. I would not have told you, but I was afraid you might be anxious, as I may be detained overnight."
"What for?" she inquired, in alarm.
"In a case of capital crime, my dear, the jury are never allowed to converse with any one from the time they are impanelled, or sworn into their office, until the case is decided."
"Oh, I hope you'll be able to vote for him to be released," she urged, gazing earnestly in his face.