“As Judge Beeswinger,” continued Colonel Starbottle, “will probably tell you and as a jurist himself, he will also probably agree with me when I also inform you that, as the United States government is an aggrieved party, it is a matter for the Federal courts to prosecute, and that the only officer we can recognize is the United States Marshal for the district.  When I add that the marshal, Colonel Crackenthorpe, is one of my oldest friends, and an active sympathizer with the South in the present struggle, you will understand that any action from him in this matter is exceedingly improbable.”

The general murmur of laughter, relief, and approval was broken by the quiet voice of Judge Beeswinger.

“Let me see your warrant, Mr. Deputy Sheriff.”

The officer approached him with a slightly perplexed and constrained air, and exhibited the paper.  Judge Beeswinger handed it back to him.  “Colonel Starbottle is quite right in his contention,” he said quietly; “the only officer that this assembly can recognize is the United States Marshal or his legal deputy.  But Colonel Starbottle is wrong in his supposition that Colonel Crackenthorpe still retains the functions of that office.  He was removed by the President of the United States, and his successor was appointed and sworn in by the Federal judge early this morning.”  He paused, and folding up the paper on which he had been writing, placed it in the hands of the deputy.  “And this,” he continued in the same even voice, “constitutes you his deputy, and will enable you to carry out your duty in coming here.”

“What the devil does this mean, sir?  Who are you?” gasped Colonel Starbottle, recoiling suddenly from the man at his side.

“I am the new United States Marshal for the Southern District of California.”

CHAPTER III.

Unsuspected and astounding as the revelation was to Clarence, its strange reception by the conspirators seemed to him as astounding.  He had started forward, half expecting that the complacent and self-confessed spy would be immolated by his infuriated dupes.  But to his surprise the shock seemed to have changed their natures, and given them the dignity they had lacked.  The excitability, irritation, and recklessness which had previously characterized them had disappeared.  The deputy and his posse, who had advanced to the assistance of their revealed chief, met with no resistance.  They had evidently, as if with one accord, drawn away from Judge Beeswinger, leaving a cleared space around him, and regarded their captors with sullen contemptuous silence.  It was only broken by Colonel Starbottle:—­

“Your duty commands you, sir, to use all possible diligence in bringing us before the Federal judge of this district—­unless your master in Washington has violated the Constitution so far as to remove him, too!”

“I understand you perfectly,” returned Judge Beeswinger, with unchanged composure; “and as you know that Judge Wilson unfortunately cannot be removed except through a regular course of impeachment, I suppose you may still count upon his Southern sympathies to befriend you.  With that I have nothing to do; my duty is complete when my deputy has brought you before him and I have stated the circumstances of the arrest.”