d with no show of expression or emotion and
at the end of my recital gave me brief instructions, and reduced a part
of my evidence to the form of an affidavit.

"Both crowds are out strong," he told me succinctly; "Garvin's gang has
been instructed to start no trouble. Whether that order will stand when
I spring my surprise I don't know. It will certainly be a severe test of
discipline. They feel quite safe about you, and they mustn't suspect
your escape. Watch that window in the court-room and when I appear and
raise my hand to pour a glass of water come into court. Say nothing
except in answer to my questions."

With those instructions he left me and as he crossed the alley-like
space, he passed between thick clusters of mountain men who formed a
practical cordon about him. I had perhaps an hour to spend alone with my
eyes against the narrow slit of the slightly raised sash. I could see
the lounging crowds and recognize the tensity of conditions. There was
an assumption of nonchalance which sat upon these men with the stamp of
spuriousness. Lines of shaggy horses hitched along two sides of the
square told of many long rides. Swift, furtive glances cast backward and
forward indicated the nerve strain and caution of hostile forces
mingling with a show of cordiality; each bent on giving no offense, but
each watchful and tightly keyed for defensive action.

A group of several young men entered the enclosure of the court-house
together, and from their clothes and appearance I recognized them as the
reporters from Louisville and Lexington. With the eye of the outside
world upon him; with every utterance from the bench being recorded by
these scribes against whom he dare not let a hand be lifted, the head of
the murder syndicate must rely absolutely on chicane. He must play the
fox's game and must not, under any provocation, show the wolf's teeth.

So the stage was being set, and I, waiting there in concealment, was to
afford the climax of the play.

After an interminable time the lean, Lincoln-like face of Cal Marcus
appeared at the dusty window of the court-room and I saw him pour a
tumblerful of water from the broken pitcher. At the same instant one of
the waiting clansmen threw open the door to announce, "They're callin'
yer in co'te."

I needed no urging. My cue had come. They closed around me in a square
and escorted me to the court-room door and as I went I heard the voice
of a deputy sing-songing my name. I eve