“But still,” said the District Attorney, “ought he not to have appeared anyhow?”
“Mr. Edgefield,” said the Court, “has given his reason for not doing so. The jury can take his testimony for what it is worth.”
The jury, at once, retired, but they returned in about ten minutes, and moved slowly up to the Judge’s stand.
“Are you agreed, gentlemen?” said the Court.
“We are,” replied the foreman. The Clerk then took a paper from the hands of the foreman, and read the following in substance:
“We, the jury in the case of the State against Xerxes Comston, find that the defendant is not guilty.”
Immediately there was a great shout which shook the building.
“Silence! silence!” cried the Sheriff; but he might as well have spoken to a cyclone. Nothing could be heard but shouts of gladness, thus showing what a deep interest the public had felt in this trial. Comston rose from his seat and tottered toward Ernest, around whose neck he threw his arms, and wept like a child.
Clara exclaimed aloud: