The hour of ten had by this time nearly arrived, and the prisoner and his lawyer made preparations to attend the examination.
Two officers soon entered. One of them handcuffed his left wrist to Carlos’ right, and led him from his cell into the main hall. The other walked behind with Mr. Royalton,and in this order they marched to a carriage which was waiting outside the jail door.
A restless, noisy crowd hustled around the little procession as soon as it reached the open air. The policeman behind warned the people off, but not before a small slip of paper was thrust into Carlos’ hand by some unknown person. Carlos grasped it instinctively, and looked quickly up in surprise. No one had seen the action. He himself was ignorant of who had done it. He looked at the paper furtively. It contained only these words:
“Look for help. It will come.”
“Another message from Leonard?” he thought. And he marveled greatly.
By this time they had reached the carriage, and all stepped in.
As they were driven rapidly to the justice’s office, a noisy throng of old and young followed, some running, and many talking busily.
Having reached their destination, they proceeded up a flight of stairs to the office of Justice Bean. It was a room capable of containing not more than fifty persons, and was filled in a moment.
Watching his chance, Carlos secretly slipped the message he had received into Mr. Royalton’s hand.
All were quickly arranged in their proper positions. Pending the actual commencement of proceedings, Mr. Royalton occupied himself apparently with consulting some memoranda. But Carlos saw him read the message he had received from the unknown hand, and watched to see what effect its perusal would have upon him. It had this effect: Mr. Royalton scowled, and tore the paper into minute fragments, letting them fall on the floor.