Ford said, "Your Honor, the claim by Colonel de Marion and others that the Indian attempt to make peace, in which Auguste de Marion participated, was some kind of dastardly trick is, itself, merely speculation." Judge Cooper grunted. "Well, let's stick to what people know, not what they think they know." "Fine with me, Your Honor," said Ford, "as long as the prosecution is held to the same standard." Auguste's belly tightened as he heard Ford speak sharply to the judge. He'd seen some hope in Cooper. He didn't want him antagonized. Then he slumped, letting his manacled hands dangle. What difference? He didn't have a chance anyway. Ford went back to his seat, smiling grimly at Auguste, and Levi Pope, looking somewhat puzzled, slouched back to his place among the spectators. Judge Cooper declared that proceedings were over for the day and that the defense would call its witnesses tomorrow. Hopelessly, Auguste stood up and bent over to pick up the iron ball chained to his leg. Perhaps, he thought, Lynch's law would be better. At least it would not prolong his suffering, make him relive moment by moment everything he and those he loved had suffered over the past year. And sooner or later he was bound to end up in the same place--a grave. The following day Nicole was sitting in the witness chair, answering Ford's questions in a soft, melodious voice. Ford asked, "Do you agree, Mrs. Hopkins, with your brother's charge that Auguste is a renegade and murderer?" Nicole's full face reddened with anger. "My God, no! Auguste never turned against us. He left Smith County because Raoul would have had him murdered if he'd stayed. Auguste has never harmed anyone." Ford's next witness was Mrs. Pamela Russell. Hearing the spectators murmuring questions to one another after Ford called her name, Auguste wondered anxiously what a woman whose husband had been killed by Wolf Paw's raid on Victor could possibly say that would help him. Her black dress and bonnet made her face look even paler. She clutched a black leather bag in her lap. Ford said, "Mrs. Russell, did your late husband entrust any papers to you concerning Auguste de Marion?" "Not exactly, but he kept such papers in our house and told me about them. I kept them safe after he died." "What were they?" "A certificate of adoption and a will." "Why did he keep them in your home instead of in the village hall?" Pamela Russell's dark eyes flashed as she searched the courtroom, looking, Auguste suspected, for Raoul. "Raoul de Marion, who never let my husband forget that he owed his job to him, ordered Burke to destroy both papers." "That's a lie!" came Raoul's shout from the back of the hall. Justus Bennett looked toward Raoul and said, "Colonel de Marion, please. What this woman is saying might even help our case." "All right," Raoul called. "But you watch what you're doing." "Now, Mrs. Russell--" Ford began again.