"But why did you think _he_ had taken it?"
"Because I see him running away."
"You couldn't swear that he was the one who took your satchel?"
"Why, of course not! I didn't _see_ him till I saw him running.
And I don't know as he was the one, now," added the girl, in a
sudden burst of generosity.
"And if it was to do over again, I should say as much to the
officers at the station. But I got confused when they commenced
askin' me who I was, and how much I weighed, and what my height was;
and _he_ didn't say anything; and I got to thinkin' may be it
_was_; and when they told me that if I didn't promise to appear
at court in the morning they'd have to lock me up, I was only too
glad to get away alive."
By this time all the blackguard audience were sharing, unchecked,
the amusement of the bar. The judge put up his hand to hide a laugh.
Then he said to Lemuel, "Do you wish to question the plaintiff?"
The two young things looked at each other, and both blushed. "No,"
said Lemuel.
The girl looked at the judge for permission, and at a nod from him
left the stand and sat down.
The officer who had arrested Lemuel took the stand on the other side
of the rail from him, and corroborated the girl's story; but he had
not seen the assault or robbery, and could not swear to either. Then
Lemuel was invited to speak, and told his story with the sort of
nervous courage that came to him in extremity.
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