Chapter 93

           Forsakenbytwo-thirdsofitsspectators—abandoned,byone-halfofthejury—thetrialtakingplaceunderthetreeisofnecessityinterrupted.

           ThereisnoadjournmentoftheCourt—onlyaninterregnum,unavoidable,andthereforetacitlyagreedto.

           Theinterludeoccupiesaboutanhour;duringwhichthejudgesmokesacoupleofcigars;takesabouttwicethatnumberofdrinksfromthebottleofpeachbrandy;chatsfamiliarlywiththecounsel,thefragmentofajury,andsuchspectatorsas,nothavinghorses,ornotcaringtogivethemagallop,havestayedbythetree.

           Thereisnodifficultyinfindingasubjectofconversation.Thatisfurnishedbytheincidentthathasjusttranspired—strangeenoughtobetalkedaboutnotonlyforanhour,butanage.

           Thespectatorsconverseofit,whilewithexcitedfeelingstheyawaitthereturnofthosewhohavestartedonthechase.

           TheyareinhopesthattheHeadlessHorsemanwillbecaptured.Theybelievethathiscapturewillnotonlysupplyacluetothemysteryofhisbeing,butwillalsothrowlightonthatofthemurder.

           Thereisoneamongthemwhocouldexplainthefirst—thoughignorantofthelast.Theaccusedcoulddothis;andwill,whencalledupontocontinuehisconfession.

           Underthedirectionofthejudge,andbytheadviceofhiscounsel,heisforthetimepreservingsilence.

           Afterawhilethepursuersreturn;notalltogether,butinstragglingsquads—astheyhavedespairinglyabandonedthepursuit.

           Allbringbackthesamestory.