“For the assassination of Yarnall.�
“By gum!� said the colonel in honest wrath, “what rotten nonsense!�
Jacob said nothing; he continued to smoke his cigarette.
The colonel slapped the paper down on his knee. “When men’s blood is heated, they run wild,� he said. “Why, Trench was Yarnall’s counsel; he’d won the case for him—he—�
“Just so,� replied Jacob coolly; “you forget that Aylett had insulted Trench twice in court, that he despised him as heartily as I do and that Aylett was almost beside Yarnall!�
The colonel pushed his hat back on his head and thought. He knew that Eaton hated Trench, but his mind did not embrace the enormity of a hatred that could revel in such an accusation. “The charge then must be that he meant to hit Aylett,� he said, after a long moment, “and that makes him take big risks. These Yankees aren’t good shots, half of ’em.�
Jacob laughed unpleasantly. “Well, I reckon he wasn’t,� he remarked, and as his thoughts went back to a certain gray morning in Little Neck Meadow, his face reddened.
The colonel wriggled uncomfortably in his chair. “What did he want to shoot Aylett for?� he demanded.
“You’ve forgotten, I suppose, that Aylett called him a liar twice in court,� said Jacob dryly.
“He didn’t shoot you for a greater provocation,� retorted the colonel bluntly.