y they desired to reach, after
which the Brotherhood of the Saints entirely washed their hands of them.
For a brief instant one could have heard a pin drop, then from the poor
creatures at the bottom of that living square there went up one mighty
gasp of intense relief, followed by a babel of blessings upon their
ancient judge, from which it was quite clear that the poor wretches, who
were, most of them, more sinned against than sinning, had fully expected
to find themselves and their little ones devoted to the same red grave
as their wicked lords and masters.

As the old Prophet ceased speaking, Kenyon suddenly started to his feet,
holding up his hand to attract the attention of the judges, and when
silence again reigned supreme, and when every eye in that vast
assemblage was curiously fixed upon him, quietly but clearly, he spoke
out.

"Sir," he said, "I know, and fully admit, your powers of judgment here,
by the right of might; but you also are an American, as I am, and I,
therefore, ask that, in courtesy to the Stars and Stripes, you will even
yield to my prior claim upon the body of this scoundrel, Zero, and allow
the executioner of the States, to end his sinful life."

"Who art thou, and whence knowest thou me?" queried the astonished
Mormon.

"I, sir," was the cool reply, "am Stanforth Kenyon, of the New York
Detective Force, and I have followed this fellow hither from the New
World, just as you have done, and, having been the first to find him, I,
therefore, think my claim the best, and my case, the Harmsworth murder,
on American ground, being now indubitably proved by your own witness,
this Zero can no longer now escape the law."

"By repute, I know you well, Detective Kenyon," came the answer, "but
Uncle Sam, for once, goes empty-handed. The Elect, as you very well
know, recognise no law outside themselves, and allow no interference
with their affairs, on the part of the unbelieving and accursed
Gentiles. Nay," as Kenyon attempted to speak again, "I cannot hear you
further. I sit here, with my colleagues, as the representatives of the
heaven-taught Holy Three, and what I _have_ said I _have_ said."

Then, after another short conference with his fellows, the old Mormon
announced that the business of the meeting was now concluded, and that
his decision with regard to the disposal of the remaining prisoners
would be announced at noon next day.

All were at once returned to their prison in the common ha