Part 45 (1/2)

These all sat near together, and Lulu felt it a comfort to find herself in the midst of such a company of friends.

Greetings were exchanged, some kind, encouraging words spoken to her and Max, then their father and the other gentlemen fell into conversation.

The children had never been in a court-room before, and were interested in looking about and observing what was going on. They were early; in season to see the judges come in and take their seats on the bench, and the opening of the court.

Some lesser matters occupied its attention for a time, then there was a little stir of excitement in the crowd as the sheriff and his deputy entered with Ajax and his fellow burglar, but it quieted down in a moment as the prisoners took their places at the bar, and the voice of the presiding judge sounded distinctly through the room, ”Commonwealth against Perry Davis and Ajax Stone. Burglary. Are you ready for trial?”

”We are, your Honor,” replied the district attorney.

”Very well,” said the judge, ”arraign the prisoners.”

Then the two prisoners were told to stand up while the district attorney read the indictment, which charged them with ”burglariously breaking and entering into the mansion-house of Captain Raymond of Woodburn, on the second day of January last pa.s.sed,” and while there attempting to break into and rob his safe and to carry off articles of value from other parts of the dwelling.

The court-room was very quiet during the reading of the indictment, so that Max and Lulu who were listening intently, heard every word.

Lulu looked her astonishment when the prisoners pleaded, ”Not guilty.”

”Why they _are_! and they know they are!” she whispered to Max.

”Of course,” he returned in the same low key, ”but do you suppose men who break into houses to steal, will hesitate to lie?”

”Oh no, to be sure not! How silly I am!”

The next thing was the selecting of jurors; a rather tedious business, taking up all the rest of the time till the court adjourned for the noon recess.

That was a rest for Max and Lulu. Their father took them to a hotel for lunch, they chatted a while in its parlor, after satisfying their appet.i.tes, then returned to the court-room in season for the opening of the afternoon session.

The district attorney made the opening address, giving an outline of the evidence he expected to bring forward to prove the prisoners' guilt.

Then Lulu was called to the witness stand.

She rose at once and turned to her father, looking a trifle pale, but quite calm and collected.

He took her hand and led her to the little railed platform. She stepped upon it and he stood near to encourage her by his presence.

”You are very young, my child,” the judge said in a kindly tone, ”What do you know of the nature of an oath?”

”I know, sir, that it is a very solemn promise in the presence of the great G.o.d, to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.”

”And what will happen to you if you fail to do so, my dear?”

”G.o.d will know it, and be angry with me; for he hates lying and has said, 'All liars shall have their part in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone!'”

Lulu's answers were given in a low, but very distinct tone and in the almost breathless silence were quite audible in every part of the large room.

”Administer the oath to her,” said the judge addressing the clerk of the court, ”she is more competent to take it than many an older person.”

When she had done so, ”What is your name?” asked the district attorney.

”Lucilla Raymond.”