Lone Star Planet

ked a

oing on, but not a murmur of noise penetrated to us. What seemed to be the judge's bench was against the outside wall, under the tall windows. To the right of it was a railed stand with a chair in it, and in front, arranged in U-shape,

sked as Gail piloted me to a coupl

"This is the court that's going to try those

the first time I had heard anything spe

rial that's going

ill after you can arrange to attend. I don't know

cedure here?" I

who are drawn from a panel, like a jury. The men at the table on the left are the prosecution: friends of the politician who was killed. And the ones on the right are the defense: they'll try to prove that the dead man got what was

hat this is a homicid

times mayhem, or wounding

ce of floor between the judges' bench and the three tables. It

f the Confederate Continents of New Texas is now in session. Case of the friends of

finally kill Aus Mav

seemed to have piled their exhibits; among the litter I saw some torn

ouston Continent, is here charged with divers offenses arising from the death of the Honorable S. Austin

nkest instance of a pre-judged case I've ever seen.

the specificat

prosecution t

charged with political irresponsibility and excessive atrocity in exer

s normal and accustomed weapons, and did loiter in wait on the front steps of the Legislative Assembly Building in the city of New Austin, Continent of Sam Houston, and did approach the

plead. Somebody, without bothering to rise, said,

n tables got up and advanced to confer in front of the bench, comparing sheets of paper. T

was a practicing politician within the meaning of the Constitution, that he met his death in th

you, Mr. Vincent?" the

at back, gaping like a fool. Why, that

aid. "Now we have all that out of t

fully expected them to take it on from there i

character witnesses," the prosecution

e defense said.

y," the prosecution argued. "You don't know

agree in advance to all that; this case is concerned only with his record as a politician. And as he spent the last fifteen

ly ..." the pr

e demanded. "His actions on the morning of May seventh as chairman of the Finance a

.." the pros

e and Revenue Committee for the morning of May Seventh, 2193, read into the record o

to say before we close the c

th sides of it. My old friend, Aus Maverick, was really a fine

somebody hadn't chopped him up here in New Austin

for a moment, and then announced,

d. "I advise everybody to keep your seats. I d

ench, he raised a high black screen in front of him and his collea

verdict," he announced. "Wilbur Whately, and

ce that had fallen, I could hear the defendant's boots squeaking as he went forward to hear h

at you have been unanimously acquitted of the charge of politic

one of the associate judges felt that the late unmitigated scoundrel, Austin Maverick, ought t

the powers of his political influence, rammed through the Finance and Revenue Committee a bill entitled 'An Act for the Taxing of Personal Incomes, and for the Levying of a Withholding Tax.' Fellow citizens, words fail me to express my hor

ending the belt and ho

man, Wilbur Whately. And take with you that machete with which you vindicated the liberties and rights of all New Texans. Bear it reverently to your home, hang it among your lares and penates, cherish

ushing to the front of the courtroom, cheering and waving their hip-flasks. The prosecution and about half of the friends

mbassador Cumshaw," I commented, as Gail and I went out. "Why

determine whether or not the politician needed it, and while I never heard about Maverick's income-tax propos

which was still a riot of noise and polychromatic costume

the extent that what happened to the politician was in excess of what he deserved. I began to understand why Palme w

een on this planet too long and he should never have been sent her

y were going to try the killers of Cumshaw in that court, that meant that

a practicing

d my right hand close to my pistol, with my thumb on the inconspicuous

sed in a white suit. Gail broke away from me and ran toward him. This, I thought, would be her father; now I would be introduced and find out ju

Hutchinson's back. I simply pressed the little silver stud on my belt, the Krupp-Tatta popped obediently out of the holster in

ose hand I had smashed. A couple of Rangers closed in and grabbed him, also. The group around President Hutchinson had all t

mbassador! My Government thanks your

e!" Hoddy accused. "I never kne

ffairs a little more closely." He turned to me. "Mr. Ambassador, New Texas owes you a great deal for s

ing, "Stephen, this is my father," and at the same time,

f our leading citizens and large ranc

nchanging expression; drinking superbourbon had been a post-graduate