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