“You are very kind,” said Mr. Warren, amused in spite of himself. “But I’m hoping we shall not have need of bail.” But in the midst of it there came the ringing voice of the crier in the court-room adjoining, and the little party all filed into court again, old Mrs. Newcome bringing up the rear, with the basket on her arm, whence there emerged now and then a stifled wail, in spite of her whispered admonitions. “We have closed our case,” said the prosecuting attorney. And the defence was begun. “George Warren!” called Squire Barker, and George, paling slightly at the ordeal, but doing his best to keep up a stout heart, took the stand. He told his story with a frankness that was convincing, keeping nothing back; and at the close Squire Barker asked: “And did you, or did you see anybody else set a fire that night?” “Certainly not,” he answered. And there was no doubt that he had made a good impression. But there were certain ugly facts that were made to stick out more embarrassingly on the prosecuting attorney’s cross-examination. “You will admit,” he asked, “that you left on the second day following the fire, because you did not care to be questioned about it?” “Yes, because we knew that our being in the hotel that night would look suspicious, if it were known,” answered George Warren. “Then you were going to conceal that fact, if you could?” “Yes—I think we were—for awhile, at least.” “And so you ran away?” “We didn’t start out with the idea of running away.” “But you did run from the _Nancy Jane_ when you found she was following and pursuing you?” “Yes.” “Why?” “I really can’t tell you,” said George Warren. “I realize now it was a foolish thing to do. But it was not because we were guilty.” “But you were all in the basement of the hotel a few moments before the fire started?” “Yes, we were.” “That is all,” said the prosecuting attorney, and George left the stand. Henry Burns, called next, did the best he could for his comrades. “If it’s anybody’s fault, it’s mine,” he said. “You see, it was my suggestion that got us in there. I was the first to go inside, and the others came only after I had urged them.” But Squire Barker knew that this avowal, honest as it was, could not help them in the eyes of the law. So, having asked a few perfunctory questions, he turned the witness over to the prosecuting attorney. The latter brought out about the same points that he had made in the testimony of George Warren, and that was all. It was quite clear that Squire Barker was only calling the boys from a sense of duty to them, to let them make the best impression they might upon the mind of the judge. It was the only suit he had to play. Then followed Arthur and Joe, and at length Tom and Bob.