“Prisoners at the bar, stand up.  Through suppression of evidence, a jury of your—­our—­countrymen have been obliged to deliver a verdict concerning your case which stinks to heaven with the rankness of its injustice.  By its terms you, the guilty one, go free with the innocent.  Depart in peace, and come no more!  The costs devolve upon the outraged plaintiff—­another iniquity.  The court stands dissolved.”

Almost everybody crowded forward to overwhelm the twins and their counsel with congratulations; but presently the two old aunties dug the duplicates out and bore them away in triumph through the hurrahing crowd, while lots of new friends carried Pudd’nhead Wilson off tavernward to feast him and “wet down” his great and victorious entry into the legal arena.  To Wilson, so long familiar with neglect and depreciation, this strange new incense of popularity and admiration was as a fragrance blown from the fields of paradise.  A happy man was Wilson.

CHAPTER VI

THE AMAZING DUEL

A deputation came in the evening and conferred upon Wilson the welcome honor of a nomination for mayor; for the village has just been converted into a city by charter.  Tom skulks out of challenging the twins.  Judge Driscoll thereupon challenges Angelo (accused by Tom of doing the kicking); he declines, but Luigi accepts in his place against Angelo’s timid protest.

It was late Saturday night nearing eleven.

The judge and his second found the rest of the war party at the further end of the vacant ground, near the haunted house.  Pudd’nhead Wilson advanced to meet them, and said anxiously: 

“I must say a word in behalf of my principal’s proxy, Count Luigi, to whom you have kindly granted the privilege of fighting my principal’s battle for him.  It is growing late, and Count Luigi is in great trouble lest midnight shall strike before the finish.”

“It is another testimony,” said Howard, approvingly.  “That young man is fine all through.  He wishes to save his brother the sorrow of fighting on the Sabbath, and he is right; it is the right and manly feeling and does him credit.  We will make all possible haste.”

Wilson said:  “There is also another reason—­a consideration, in fact, which deeply concerns Count Luigi himself.  These twins have command of their mutual legs turn about.  Count Luigi is in command now; but at midnight, possession will pass to my principal, Count Angelo, and—­well, you can foresee what will happen.  He will march straight off the field, and carry Luigi with him.”

“Why! sure enough!” cried the judge, “we have heard something about that extraordinary law of their being, already—­nothing very definite, it is true, as regards dates and durations of power, but I see it is definite enough as regards to-night.  Of course we must give Luigi every chance.  Omit all the ceremonial possible, gentlemen, and place us in position.”