efendant's peculiar behavior in this case. Mr.
Sheriff, please subpoena Miss Rita Bays."

Dic broke down, and buried his face in his folded arms on the table.

The sheriff started to fetch Rita, but met her near the courthouse and
returned with her to the courtroom. She was directed to take the witness
stand, which she did as calmly as if she were taking a seat at her
father's dinner table; and her story, told in soft, clear tones,
confirmed Patsy in all essential details.

Mr. Switzer objected to the questions put to her by the Court on the
ground that she could not be compelled to give evidence that would
incriminate herself. The judge admitted the validity of Mr. Switzer's
objection; but after a moment spent in private consultation with the
State's attorney, he said:--

"The State and the Court pledge themselves that no prosecution will be
instituted against Miss Bays in case her answers disclose the fact that
she shot Doug Hill."

After Rita had told her story the judge said: "Miss Bays, you did right.
You are a strong, noble girl, and the man who gets you for a wife will
be blessed of God."

Rita blushed and looked toward Dic, as if to say, "You hear what the
judge says?" But Dic had heard, and thought the judge wise and excellent
to a degree seldom, if ever, equalled among men.

The judge then instructed the jury to return a verdict of not guilty,
and within five minutes Dic was a free and happy man. Billy Little did
not seem to be happy; for he, beyond a doubt, was crying, though he said
he had a bad cold and that colds always made his eyes water. He started
to sing Maxwelton's braes in open court, but remembered himself in time,
and sang mentally.

Mrs. Bays had followed Rita; and when the girl and Dic emerged from the
courthouse door, the high court of the Chief Justice seized its daughter
and whisked her off without so much as giving her an opportunity to say
a word of farewell. Rita looked back to Dic, but she was in the hands of
the high court, which was a tribunal differing widely from the _nisi
prius_ organization she had just left, and by no means to be trifled
with.

Dic stopped for dinner at the inn with Billy Little, and told him that
Mrs. Bays refused her consent.

"Did you expect anything else?" asked Billy.

"Yes, I did," answered Dic.

"Even Rita will be valued more highly if you encounter difficulties in
getting her," replied his friend.

"I certainly value her highly enough as it