Всадник без головы

Chapter 63

           Inthemindsofmost—alreadypredisposedtoit—thereisafullconvictionthatHenryPoindexterisadeadman,andthatMauriceGeraldisanswerableforhisdeath.

           Everycircumstancealreadyknownhasbeenreconsidered;whiletothesehavebeenaddedthenewfactsdiscoveredatthejacalé—theugliestofwhichisthefindingofthecloakandhat.

           TheexplanationsgivenbytheGalwegian,confusedandincongruous,carrynocredit.Whyshouldthey?Theyaretheinventionsofanaccomplice.

           Therearesomewhowillscarcestaytohearthem—somewhoimpatientlycryout,"Letthemurdererbehanged!"

           Asifthisverdicthadbeenanticipated,aropeliesreadyupontheground,withanooseatitsend.Itisonlyalazo;butforthepurposeCalcraftcouldnotproduceamoreperfectpieceofcord.

           Asycamorestandingnearoffersahorizontallimb—goodenoughforagallows.

           Thevoteistakenvivavoce.

           Eightyoutofthehundredjurorsexpresstheiropinion:thatMauriceGeraldmustdie.Hishourappearstohavecome.

           Andyetthesentenceisnotcarriedintoexecution.Theropeissufferedtolieguilelessonthegrass.Nooneseemswillingtolayholdofit!

           Whythathangingback,asifthethongofhorse-hidewasavenomoussnake,thatnonedarestotouch?

           Themajority—theplurality,touseatrueWesternword—haspronouncedthesentenceofdeath;somestrengtheningitwithrude,evenblasphemous,speech.Whyisitnotcarriedout?

           Why?Forwantofthatunanimity,thatstimulatestoimmediateaction—forwantoftheproofstoproduceit.

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