“All the morning,� he replied, sitting down on the low balustrade and regarding the colonel from under heavy eyelids.
“How is it? Quiet?� The colonel was always sneakingly conscious of a despicable feeling of panic when Jacob regarded him with that drooping but stony stare.
“Militia is still out,� said Jacob calmly, “and if the disturbances continue the governor threatens to call on Colonel Ross for a company of regulars.�
“He’s nervous,� commented the colonel reflectively. “I don’t wonder. How in the mischief did Aylett happen to be near Yarnall?�
Jacob looked pensive. “I don’t know,� he said; “I was in the rear corridor by the State’s Attorney’s room. They say Aylett was crossing the quadrangle just in front of Yarnall.�
The colonel smoked for a few moments in silence, then he took his cigar from between his teeth. “What were you doing in the corridor?� he asked pointedly.
Jacob took a cigarette out of his pocket and lit it. “I was going to Colonel Coad’s office, and I was the first to try to locate the shots outside the court-house.�
“I was in Judge Ladd’s room,� said Colonel Royall deliberately, “and I reckon that was as near as I want to be. I see by this�—he touched the paper with his finger—“that Caleb Trench induced Juniper to surrender to the authorities, and he says that he’s sure he can prove the negro’s innocence.�
Jacob laughed, showing his teeth unpleasantly. “Probably he can,� he remarked; “he’s under arrest himself.�
The colonel swung around in his chair. “Caleb Trench? What for?�