WALTER IS VINDICATED
“Bless my soul!” ejaculated the colonel. “Surely you are joking.”
“No, I assure you I am not.”
“Then how does it happen that Mr. Sherwood is sitting here in your
office instead of being--”
“In the lockup?”
“Yes.”
“I was taken to the lockup, Colonel Owen,” said Walter, “but about
midnight a lynching party broke it open and took me out.
“But I made an appeal to my captors, and was able to prove to them I
received a reward not long since for the capture of the famous outlaw,
Dick Ranney.”
Colonel Owen sank into a chair.
“I never heard the like!” he was heard to say.
“Do you mind telling me, young man, why you were arrested, or why you
fell under suspicion?”
“I was arrested while on the horse's back.”
“Ha! But how did that happen?”
“I bought her of a man whom I met on the highway.”
“Gentlemen,” said the lawyer, “I find that the court is in session and
all is ready for the trial.”
“By the way, colonel, are you not a graduate of Euclid?” asked the
lawyer.
“Yes, sir, and I am proud of the dear old college,” rejoined the
colonel, warmly.
“I agree with you,” said Walter. “I have passed two years in the
college.”
“Then, young man, here's my hand. My heart is always warm toward a
Euclid man--”
“Even if you have to prosecute him for horse-stealing,” suggested Lawyer
Barry slyly.
“Really, this is very painful!” said the colonel. “I wish I could get
rid of it.”
“You can say in court that you are convinced of the young man's
innocence.”
“And I will! And afterward I shall insist on Mr. Sherwood's driving home
with me and making me a visit.”
Great was the surprise of Mr. Crane and Mr. Penton when they saw the
horse thief approach the court room arm in arm with Colonel Owen.
The trial began, and presently Crane and Penton were called on to
testify.
“Did you see the prisoner steal the mare?” demanded Barry sharply.
“No, but--”
“It stands to reason that he did, or he wouldn't have had her in his
possession.”
“Mr. Sherwood, you may take the stand.”
Walter gave a brief account of the way in which he became possessed of
Bess.
“Does Mr. Sherwood's story seem probable?” now remarked the judge.
“I am convinced that it is true,” said the colonel promptly.
The judge saw how matters stood and discharged the prisoner.
“We're left!” said Crane, in a tragic whisper.
“Now, Mr. Sherwood,” said the colonel, taking Walter's arm, “you must
accompany me to Shelby.”