“No, certainly not.”

The wealth and standing in the community of Captain Raymond and his wife’s relatives; caused a widespread interest in the case about to be tried; especially in connection with the fact that he and two of his children were to be placed upon the witness stand to testify to the identity of the burglars and their attempt to rob his house.

The Court House was crowded, and there were very many of the better class of people among the spectators, including members of the families residing at the Oaks, the Laurels, the Pines, Ion, Fairview and Roselands.

Dr. Conly, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Travilla and Mr. Leland were there when the Woodburn party arrived; and presently Grandpa Dinsmore and his wife, and Cousin Ronald, who was still staying at Ion, followed.

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 passed,” 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 appetites, then returned to the court-room in season for the opening of the afternoon session.