Mr. Johnson and man were there, and with them the one lawyer the village afforded as Prosecuting Attorney. It looked as though Mr. Johnson was afraid he could not prove his case, and had sought all the possible help he at that short notice could obtain.
Budd's witnesses were all there also, Judd and Mr. Dane having arrived an hour before, and Mr. Benton and Mr. Wright having come in as the court was called.
Budd was his own lawyer, and from his smiling face one would have thought he felt fully able to cope with the attorney for the prosecution.
When the charge was read, the lad in loud, clear tones, answered "Not guilty," and the trial began.
Mr. Johnson was the first witness, and he stated briefly the condition in which he had found his house on arriving there the morning before, and how he had laid in wait for the return of the burglars. He described Budd's appearance, his entrance to the house, and his capture. As he ended his testimony, the lawyer, evidently having been previously instructed, asked:
"Have you ever seen the prisoner previous to the time of his capture?"
"Yes," replied Mr. Johnson. "I have known him, and his father before him, for years."
"Where is his father?" asked the lawyer.
"I object to that question," cried Budd, jumping to his feet, his cheeks all aflame with indignation.
Before the Justice could give his ruling the answer had been given, loud and clear: