Among the neighboring people, there prevailed a respect for these two in their distress which was full of gentleness and delicacy. Men kept apart when they were seen walking with slow steps on the street, or stood in knots talking compassionately among themselves. At length the day came when the Grand Jury was in session. The absence of witnesses, upon which the defense had relied to argue the innocence of the accused, caused the prisoner’s counsel no little uneasiness as the hour for the opening of the court drew near. As he paced restlessly to and fro in the reserved space before the bench, there was a look of anxiety on his countenance and a frown upon his brow. When the hands of the big clock pointed to nine, the judge ascended the bench and took his seat. It was the signal for breathless silence, and as if to emphasize this silence, his honor rapped sharply with his gavel upon the desk in front of him. The clerk read the minutes of the preceding day and took the volume over for the judicial signature. “The case of the State against Ephriam Cooley,” called the clerk. “Are both sides ready?” The look of concern grew deeper on the face of the defendant’s attorney. He asked for a few minutes’ consultation with his witnesses and retired into an ante-room. Presently the door of this room opened and the attorney reappeared. The expression of anxiety and suspense had not left his face. “Your Honor,” he said, “the defense must ask for a continuance. We had hoped to be ready to proceed with the case without delay or cost to the state, but a witness whose testimony is essential and whom the defense has spared no diligence to secure, has failed to appear. Believing that the just interests of our client will suffer if we enter into trial without this witness, we have decided to ask Your Honor to continue the case until the next term.” The audience could scarcely restrain its impatience, and the judge found it necessary to call for order before stating that the postponement was granted. The courtroom was soon cleared. Groups of excited men gathered upon the street, their looks indicating sullen anger and desperate resolve. The bayonets of the militia had been set bristling around the jail and their gleam was all that kept the crowds back.