Hansford, who acted like a crazy woman, while Elithe, who saw the shooting, refused to be interviewed. This story was followed by the news that the revolver had been hidden in Miss Hansford’s chest and that the bullet extracted from Jack’s head fitted one of the chambers. After this those who had said the whole was a lie, held their peace. There could be but one conclusion as to the guilty party and his name was spoken sadly, for Paul Ralston was the most popular man in Oak City, and it seemed like sacrilege to associate him with the tragedy. That he did not intend it everybody was certain, though how he could take deliberate aim and hit the mark so sure was a question. Had he at once come forward and said, “It was an accident; I didn’t know he was there,” nearly everybody would have believed him; but he had kept quiet and never seemed conscious of the danger threatening him. “What ought we to do?” was asked many times a day during the time Paul was in Washington, and the answer was always the same, “The law must take its course were he ten times Paul Ralston.” A few there were, as in all communities, who, jealous of Paul’s position or money, or, fancying some slight put upon them when none was intended, were open in their denunciations. “If he were a poor man you would have no hesitancy as to what you should do. He’d be arrested at once, but because he is a big bug you are disposed to let him go.” Tom was furious when he heard such remarks. He was ready to swear that Paul could not have been near the place where the shooting occurred, but there was the testimony of Miss Hansford’s lodgers, who saw and spoke with him, and of Elithe, and Tom’s bare word went for nothing. He kept the rumors from the judge and Mrs. Ralston, who were expecting Paul on the 4 o’clock Wednesday boat and would have gone to meet him but for Mrs. Ralston’s indisposition. Two or three times while harnessing the horses Tom decided to tell the judge and ask him to go with him in case there should be trouble. Then he changed his mind, saying, “Maybe they won’t do anything. I’ll not trouble the judge till I see what they mean to do.” He had not much doubt of their intentions when he saw the crowd waiting for the boat just coming to the wharf, and setting his teeth together he clenched his fists and waited. From the deck Paul had seen the swarm of human beings, greater than when he went away, and called Clarice’s attention to it, wondering why the whole town was out and if some noted personage were expected. “They expect _us_,” Clarice said, feeling somewhat gratified by this attention and never guessing why it was paid to them.