MEANWHILE Colonel Royall and Judge Ladd had been in consultation in the judge’s private office, behind the court-room.
Governor Aylett and Jacob Eaton had definitely decided to appeal the case, and a slight discrepancy in the stenographer’s notes had made it necessary for Colonel Royall to review a part of his testimony. Having disposed of these technicalities, the colonel found it difficult to depart. He and Judge Ladd had been boys together; they met infrequently, and the present situation was interesting.
The colonel stood with his thumbs inserted in the armholes of his marseilles waistcoat, his hat on the back of his head, and a placid smile on his lips. The judge sat at his table, smoking a huge cigar and meditating. In his heart he rather resented the rapid rise of the unknown young lawyer; he had worked his own way up inch by inch, and he had no confidence in meteoric performances, and said so.
“Well,� said the colonel slowly, “I reckon I’d better not say anything, Tommy, I’m on the wrong side of the fence; I’m Jacob’s cousin, though I feel like his grandfather.�
The judge knocked the ashes from his cigar and said nothing. It was not in his province to discuss the defendant just then.
“I’d give something handsome,� the colonel continued, “to know how in mischief Trench got such a hold on the backwoodsmen. Todd follows him about like a lapdog, too, yet he doesn’t hesitate to condemn Todd’s methods of getting evidence.�
The judge grunted. “Heard about personal magnetism, haven’t you?� he asked tartly; “that’s what he’s got. I sat up there on the bench and listened when he began to address the jury. I’ve heard hundreds do it; I know the ropes. Well, sir, he took me in; I thought he was going to fall flat. He began as cool and slow and prosy as the worst old drone we’ve got; then he went on. By George, David, I was spellbound. I clean forgot where I was; I sat and gaped like a ninny! He cut right through their evidence; he knocked their witnesses out one by one; he tore their logic to pieces, and then he closed. There wasn’t a shred of ’em left. I charged the jury? Yes, hang it! But I knew what the verdict would be, so did every man-jack in the court-room.�
“Remarkable!� exclaimed the colonel. “I admit it, Tommy; I was there.�
“Then why the devil didn’t you say so?� snapped the judge.
“Thought you saw me; I was in the front row,� replied the colonel, with a broad smile.