The Dead Alive

e magistrate's court, we passed the platform

eath him, Naomi was just tall enough to reach his hand on tiptoe. She took it. "I know you are innocent," she whispered, and gave him one look of

prosecution, told strongly

about him, and the metal buttons which were known to belong to his coat, were produced. It was argued that these indestructible substances, and some fragments of the larger bones had alone escaped the action of the burning lime. Having produced medical witnesses to support this theory by decla

the neighborhood, and which had ended (on one occasion at least) in a blow; the disgraceful scene which had taken place under my window; and the restoration to Ambrose, on the morning of the fatal quarrel, of the very stick which had been found

was far otherwise with Silas. Abject terror showed itself in his ghastly face; in his great knotty hands, clinging convulsively to the bar at which he stood; in his staring e

s-examination by the defense

it was just possible that the bones might yet prove to be the remains of an animal, and not of a man. The presiding magistra

dings ended. The prisoners

is leaving the court. Ambrose leaned over the bar to speak to Naomi before he followed the jailer out. "Wait," he whispered, confidentl

Anybody can see that Ambrose is innocent. It's a crying shame,

control. It was impossible to acknowledge this to my little friend. I diverted her mind from the question of her lover's innocence by proposing that w

en American girl. "When your time comes to be married,

n laid on them by the proceedings in court. His daughter, in stern indulgence to Naomi, mercifully permitted her opinion to glimmer on us only through the medium of quotation from Scripture texts

of admission to the p

o be almost as eager to tell, as Naomi was to hear, the true story of what had happened at the lime-kiln. The authorities of the prison-pres

," Ambrose replied. "I have nothing t

began his narrative, as nearly a

me by my stick. In telling me how, Silas also told me of the words that had passed between him and John Jago under Mr. Lefrank

opped him wit

to me as you spoke when we fou

es

e, when you went away to Narrabee,

wa

or it before you

your

e ashamed o

yself," Ambrose an

n," said Naomi. "

se we

or another handy in their pockets. It's likely enough he didn't mean to harm me, either; but how could I be sure of that? When he stepped up to me, and showed his weapon, I dropped the stick, and closed with him. With one hand I wrenched the knife away from him; and with the other I caught him by the collar of his rotten old coat, and gave him a shaking that made his bones rattle in his skin. A big piece of the cloth came away in my hand. I shied it into the quicklime close by us, and I pitched the knife after the cloth; and, if Silas hadn't stopped me, I think it's likely I might have shied John Jago himself into the l

nd turned pale, when Ambrose repeat

her has no right to take liberties with my name. Go

a shovel, or some such thing. 'Give us your hand,' I says to Silas. 'Let me stretch out a bit and I'll have it in no time.' Instead of finding the knife, I came nigh to falling myself into the burning lime. The vapor overpowered me, I suppose. All I know is, I turned giddy, and dropped the stick in the kiln. I should have followed the stick to a dead certainty, but for Silas pulling me back by the hand. 'Let it be,' says Silas. 'If I hadn't had hold of you, John Jago's knife would

a question to him-the fi

that time of the charge which has sin

d man might hear of the quarrel, and be bitterer against us than ever. I was the more anxious of the two to keep things secret, because I had Naomi to consider as well as the old man. Put y

tion of his conduct; but it wa

ied out his threat of not returning to the farm? Accor

ly!" sai

y!" repea

that he was seen traveling

n his track. I was only too anxious to find him; and I say I co

ed at

she said. "John Ja

e is afraid of Am

hesi

she replied, with a strong

on't think

again. I pre

is any other motiv

floor. She answered obst

an't

d myself t

ing more to tel

have told you al

mission, and he had accompanied us to the prison. Seated apart he had kept silence throughout, atten

ense?" I inquire

. Lefrank. What do you t

hink the magistrate wil

charge o

he charge