"Your honor," he said, "I have been in town but a half hour, and have had no time to consult with my client. Several important facts have already come to light, several more are under proper investigation; by Wednesday morning we shall be able to present our case in a way entirely creditable to my client. I request, therefore, that he be permitted to give bonds for his appearance at that time, and the court now adjourn."
The request was immediately granted, and bail was fixed at one thousand dollars for the prisoner. A half dozen gentlemen offered themselves as bondsmen, any one of whom would have been more than sufficient for that amount. Evidently the tide was turning, and sympathy was setting in in favor of the lad.
"Come, Ray," said Mr. George Woodhull, after the bond had been completed, "we'll now go home; mother and wife and children made me promise to bring you home with me."
But Mr. Carleton interposed. Drawing Mr. Woodhull one side, he said something to him which caused him to give the first hearty laugh he had given since Ray's arrest, and to immediately say: "Of course, it will be best for the boy under those circumstances to stay with you, but the women folks and the children will be woefully disappointed."
"Well, we will compromise the matter," said Mr. Carleton; "I'll drive down with him to-morrow and take dinner with you." And Mr. Woodhull, accepting the offer, drove away home.
Mr. Carleton, with Ray by his side, left the court room, and walked up town. He took care to call at a number of the stores on the way, and by his words and his acts to show all he met that he regarded Ray as in every way worthy of his attention and respect. As he and the lad turned on to Prospect Avenue, Mrs. Grundy passed them in her carriage, and looking them coldly in the face refused to acknowledge Mr. Carleton's stately bow. "I will let even my pastor know that I in no way approve of his association with criminals," she said, "and at the next church meeting we will ask for letters to the Central Church."
But before the week was out she changed her mind; yes, even she, the fashionable Mrs. Grundy, was glad to call on her pastor and apologize for that morning's discourtesy, and nothing more was ever heard about her changing her church relations.
CHAPTER IX.
RAY'S TRIAL AND ACQUITTAL.
Wednesday morning opened dark and lowering, but notwithstanding this, so great was the interest taken in Ray Branford's trial, that the large hall where the judge had decided to hold court was filled to overflowing. Ray sat just within the bar with Mr. Eaton, his counsel, and quite a company of other friends. All the gentlemen who had been with him on Monday morning were there, and with them now were the following ladies: Mrs. George Woodhull, Mrs. Berray, Mrs. Carleton, Mrs. Bacon, Mrs. Gasque, and Miss Squire. Nearly one-half of that vast audience also was made up of ladies, from the very first families of Afton. Rumor had been busy all the day before with certain mysterious suggestions that new and startling developments might be expected at the trial, and this had been sufficient to bring them out in full force.