XII.
John Storm's enemies had succeeded. He was committed for sedition, and there was the probability that when brought up again he would be charged with complicity in manslaughter. Throughout the proceedings at the police court he maintained a calm and dignified silence. Supported by an exalted faith, he regarded even death with composure. When the trial was over and the policeman who stood at the back of the dock tapped him on the arm, he started like a man whose mind had been occupied by other issues.
“Eh?”
“Come,” said the policeman, and he was taken back to the cells.
Next day he was removed to Holloway, and there he observed the same calm and silent attitude. His bearing touched and impressed the authorities, and they tried by various small kindnesses to make his imprisonment easy. He encouraged them but little.
On the second morning an officer came to his cell and said, “Perhaps you would care to look at the newspaper, Father?”
“Thank you, no,” he answered. “The newspapers were never much to me even when I was living in the world—they can not be necessary now that I am going out of it.”
“Oh, come, you exaggerate your danger. Besides, now that the papers contain so much about yourself——”