So they noted with something of satisfaction that the day was drawing to a close, and the night coming on, for their hour could not be reached until darkness had for some time settled down over the great city.
Both were anxious to have the thing over.
It did not give them much pleasure, and all their satisfaction arose in the thought that justice and right would triumph when the man who had plotted against the peace of a home went down among his idols of clay.
In these modern days men have to do strange things when the sanctity of their house has been invaded by a human serpent.
Sometimes the stern arm of the law is called upon for assistance.
Now and then, however, we read of some outraged husband going back to old time principles and being a law unto himself on such an occasion.
Long ago they had a means of avenging such wrongs by meeting in the lists with lance or sword—in short, fighting a duel.
The modern way is perhaps the best if least chivalric since it is all in favor of the man who has been wronged, and does not risk his life.
We have seen that Joe was not modern in his ways.
The last thing he desired on earth was to make his misery public.