L. Ross. W.A. Jones
was named the judge's clerk and J.E. Townes the whilom sheriff.
While the jury was impaneling, Brannan spoke to Benito: "Twelve good men
and true; the phrase means something here. Lord, if we could have such
jurymen as these in all our American courts."
Benito nodded. "They've appointed Bill Coleman as public prosecutor;
that's rather a joke on Bill."
Judge Spence, who sat between his two colleagues, presiding on the
bench, now spoke:
"I appoint Judge Shattuck and--er--Hall McAllister as counsel for the
defendants."
There was a murmur of interest. Judge Shattuck, dignified, a trifle
ponderous, came forward, spectacles in hand. He put them on, surveyed
his clients with distaste, and took his place composedly at the table.
Hall McAllister, dapper, young and something of a dandy, advanced with
less assurance. He would have preferred the other side of the case, for
he did not like running counter to the people.
Amid a stir the prisoners were led forward to the dock. Judge Spence,
looking down at them over his spectacles, read the charges. "Are you
guilty or not guilty?" he asked.
Windred, the younger, with a frightened glance about the court room,
murmured almost inaudibly, "Not guilty.
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