“We are face to face with a very deplorable condition, Mr. Yancy. Court was to sit here to-day, but judge Morrow and the public prosecutor have left town, and as you see, Murrell's friends have gathered for a rescue. There's a sprinkling of the better element--but only a sprinkling. I saw judge Morrow this morning at four o'clock--I told him I would obligate myself to present for his consideration evidence of a striking and sensational character, evidence which would show conclusively that Murrell should be held to await the action of the next grand jury--this was after a conference with Hues--I guaranteed his safety. Sir, the man refused to listen to me! He showed himself utterly devoid of any feeling of public duty.” The bitter sense of failure and futility was leaving the judge. The situation made its demands on that basic faith in his own powers which remained imbedded in his character. They had entered the court-house square. 'On the steps of the building Betts was arguing loudly with Hues, who stood in the doorway, rifle in hand. “Maybe you don't know this is county property?” the sheriff was saying. “And that you have taken unlawful possession of it for an unlawful purpose? I am going to open them doors-a passel of strangers can't keep folks out of a building their own money has bought and paid for!” While he was speaking, the judge had pushed his way through the crowd to the foot of the steps. “That was very nicely said, Mr. Betts,” observed the judge. He smiled widely and sweetly. The sheriff gave him a hostile glare. “Do you know that Morrow has left town?” the judge went on. “I ain't got nothing to do with judge Morrow. It's my duty to see that this building is ready for him when he's a mind to open court in it.” “You are willing to assume the responsibility of throwing open these doors?” inquired the judge affably. “I shorely am,” said Betts. “Why, some of these folks are our leading people!” The judge turned to the crowd, and spoke in a tone of excessive civility. “Just a word, gentlemen!--the sheriff is right; it is your court-house and you should not be kept out of it. No doubt there are some of you whose presence in this building will sooner or later be urgently desired. We are going to let all who wish to enter, but I beg you to remember that there will be five men inside whose prejudices are all in favor of law and order.” He pushed past Hues and entered the court-house, followed by Yancy and Hannibal. “We'll let 'em in where I can talk to 'em,” he said almost gaily. “Besides, they'll come in anyhow when they get ready, so there's no sense in exciting them.”