After the usual delay, Mrs. Wentworth was placed in the prisoners’ stand and the charges preferred against her.  In his usual style Mr. Swartz proceeded to narrate his business connection with the accused, and stated that he had done everything he possibly could for her, but that, not satisfied with receiving his bounty, she had stolen his money.  His story was given in a conclusive and plausible manner, and on his clerk certifying to what his employer had said, the chances for the accused appeared very dim.  What added more to the evidence against her, was the conduct of Mr. Elder, who, rising from his seat briefly stated that, from his intercourse with her, he believed Mrs. Wentworth to be an unprincipled and dishonest woman.

“On what ground do you make that assertion, Mr. Elder?” enquired the Judge.

“As I stated before, in my intercourse with her,” he replied.

“And may I ask of what nature your intercourse was?” asked the Judge.

“It would delay the court were I to state what business transactions have taken place between this woman and myself,” answered Mr. Elder.  “When I arose, it was simply to state my belief in her dishonesty.”

“You should have appeared on the witness’ box, if you desired to give evidence against the accused,” remarked the Judge.  “As it stands, your assertions cannot be taken as evidence against her.  If you desire to appear as a witness for the accuser, say so, and I will then be prepared to hear what you may have to say.”

“I have no such desire,” replied Mr. Elder, seating himself.

“And now my good woman,” said the Judge, turning to Mrs. Wentworth, who had remained a silent listener to all that had been said against her, “let me know what you may have to say against the charges brought against you.  By your appearance and general demeanor you have seen better days, and it is a source of regret that I should see any one bearing evidence of once living in a different sphere from the one you now occupy, brought before me on a charge of robbery.  Let me now know what you have to say on this charge.”

“I can say nothing,” she replied.

“Well, then, do you plead guilty, or not guilty?” asked the Judge.

“Not Guilty!” thundered Harry, in an excited manner.  He had been unavoidably delayed from accompanying Mrs. Wentworth to the Court House, and had just arrived.  “Not guilty!  I repeat, and, as counsel for the accused, I beg leave to make a few remarks.”

“Certainly, Lieutenant Shackleford,” answered the Judge, who knew Harry well.

The remarks of Harry, and his excited manner, awoke the waning interest in the case, and the crowd clustered closer round the railings.