The attention of the jury and spectators was attracted by the strange conduct of the speaker, and a general peal of laughter broke forth as soon as they perceived his awkward dilemma. These demonstrations of mirth, which the court could not wholly repress, so increased the agitation of poor Pate, that he sprang up and rushed from the court-room like a man on a wild hunt after his wits. "He has suddenly seen a psychological illusion," said a pitiless limb of the law in a loud whisper. "No," said Toney Belton, "he has gone for a locksmith to open the drawer, and will soon return and conclude his argument." But the eloquent advocate never came back to conclude his powerful appeal in behalf of Sam, who was convicted by the jury and sentenced by the court to confinement in the penitentiary for the term of two years and six months. CHAPTER XXX. "There are persons so peculiarly constituted as to suppose that all the inhabitants of the terrestrial globe have their minds occupied with thoughts of them," said Toney to the Professor. "And that all the people of the planets are peeping through telescopes and making critical observations on their actions," said the Professor. "The unfortunate M. T. Pate must have been in some such mental condition after his lamentable break down in court." "What has become of him? I have not seen him for a whole month." "During several weeks he remained in seclusion, and manufactured an immense amount of melancholy for home consumption. His stock being finally exhausted he came forth into the world again." "To discover that the world was occupied with its own affairs and thinking very little about him?" "Yes; some were engaged in making money; some in making mischief----" "And Tom Seddon in making love with indefatigable industry----" "While the earth revolved on her axis as if nothing extraordinary had ever occurred in the court-room." "What is Pate now doing?" "He has become a collecting lawyer." "What is that?" "An attorney who, for a moderate commission, rides over the country collecting money for his clients." "A dun? Why, yonder comes Pate now on his old white horse!" "Good-morning, Mr. Pate," said Toney, as the lawyer rode up. "Are you riding far to-day?" "Only to the Widow Wild's residence. I have a claim to collect for Mr. Clement. Good-morning, gentlemen." And Pate rode on. "Did he say he was going to the Widow Wild's residence?" asked the Professor. "Yes; to dun her for a debt." "If my identity was merged in that of M. T. Pate, I would be afraid to venture within a hundred yards of the widow's house." "Why?" "I sat by her side in the court-room, and heard her declaration of war against M. T. Pate." "He denounced her terribly in his speech to the jury." "And she denounced him terribly in her speech to me." "I wish Tom Seddon was here; we might send him to witness the interview between the widow and M. T. Pate."