Всадник без головы

Chapter 96

           Lastofall,hedescribesthesceneinthechapparal,wheretheHeadlessHorsemanhasbeencaught—givingthislatestepisodeinallitsdetails,withhisowninterpretationofit.

           Thisdone,hemakesapause,andstandssilent,asifawaitingtheCourttoquestionhim.

           Buttheeyesoftheauditoryarenolongerfixeduponhim.Theyknowthathistaleiscompleted;or,ifnotso,theyneednofurthertestimonytoguidetheirconclusions.

           TheydonotevenstayforthedeliberationsoftheCourt,nowproceedingtosifttheevidence.Itsactionistooslowformenwhohaveseenjusticesonearbeingduped—themselvesalongwithit;and—swayedbyabitterreactionaryspirit—revenge,proceedingfromself-reproach—theycallloudlyforachangeintheprogramme.

           TheCourtisassailedwiththecries:—

           "LettheIrishmango—heisinnocent!Wedon’twantanyfartherevidence.We’reconvincedofit.Lethimgofree!"

           Suchisthetalkthatproceedsfromtheexcitedspectators.

           Itisfollowedbyotherspeechesequallyearnest:—

           "LetCassiusCalhounbearrested,andputuponhistrial!It’shethat’sdonethedeed!That’swhyhe’sshownsobitteragainsttheother!Ifhe’sinnocent,he’llbeabletoproveit.Heshallhaveafairtrial;buttriedheshallbe.Come,judge;we’rewaitinguponyou!OrderMrCalhountobebroughtbeforetheCourt.Aninnocentman’sbeentherelongenough.Lettheguiltytakehisplace!"

           Thedemand,atfirstmadebysomehalfdozenvoices,soonbecomesaclamour,universallyendorsedbytheassemblage.

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