Long before day the bell from Landolin's prison cell rang violently.
The keeper heard it, but did not hurry in the least.
"You can wait," he said to himself, and dressed leisurely. He was a
tall, broad-shouldered man, of dignified and imposing appearance. He
had been appointed to his excellent position as a reward for bravery in
the war, and felt that he carried in his own person the whole dignity
of the court. He was gruff, but could, when he chose, be polite and
condescending; and he had a reason for being polite to Landolin.
Softening his powerful voice as much as he could, he asked what
Landolin wanted so early. It was scarcely day. Landolin gave him a
bewildered look; then he said,
"I heard the early train whistle. The people from my village have come
in it. Go to the Ritter inn and bring my head-servant, Tobias, here. It
shall not be to your disadvantage."
"I'm sorry I can't do that. You were bailiff yourself, and you know
what the law is."
"Then call my lawyer."
"It's too early."
"It is not too early. I have a right to see my lawyer at any time."
"All right, I'll bring him; but I advise you to compose yourself
to-day. If you get so excited, you will be a witness against yourself."
Landolin looked at the keeper as though he wanted to knock him down,
but he controlled himself. His face bore the marks of the battle which
he, who was formerly so self-willed, had been fighting for weeks, and
especially during the past night. Yesterday he had shaved off his full
beard, which had grown in the prison; and it was plain that he had
grown old very rapidly. The elasticity of his flesh, and the brown,
healthy color were gone; and his features were faded and flaccid.
Swallows twittered as they flew hither and thither about the grated
window. Landolin whistled a gay tune; and he continued whistling when
the key turned in the door, and his lawyer entered.
"So gay already?" said the lawyer; "I hardly knew you. Why! What made
you cut off your beard?"
"Why? So the jurymen can recognize me."
"Very good. Now what do you want?"
The lawyer had not uttered a syllable about the early hour. His
relation to the accused was that of a physician to his patient.
Landolin, however, felt that he must make some excuse for sending for
him; and he asked to see the list of jurymen, so that he might
determine whom to object to, and whom to accept. First on the list,
which was in alphabetical order, was the name of the miller,
Armbruster, who had been summoned in Landolin's place.
The lawyer said that he had asked to be excused.
"Hoho!" cried Landolin. "He is just the one I'll keep. Let him find me
guilty if he dares! We are not related, and our children are no longer
betrothed."
The next on the list was the lumberman, Dietler.
"He wants to be released too," said the lawyer.
"He wants to be released? So do I."
"But he will be angry with us."
"Then you must see that the government counsel keeps him on. Then he'll
be for us and against the other side. He has known me a long time. I
had almost said ever since wood was cut."
Landolin laughed. The lawyer smiled and looked at Landolin's wily face
in astonishment. One after another he struck off all the city people,
and the men of higher education. He wished to be tried by farmers. Only
one man from the city, the host of the Ritter inn, who was a man ready
of speech, was acceptable to him.
"I won't have Baron Discher."
"Why? He is a just man."
"That may be. But he is an enemy of mine because I outbid him at the
sale of forest land. You will see," said Landolin in conclusion, "Titus
will be the foreman. He hates me heartily; but I know him well. I know
that in order to make a grand impression on the rabble, and to give
vent to his insolence, and to show me what a great man he is, he will
say not guilty, and induce the others to say the same."
The lawyer was careful not to shake Landolin's confidence; and he
himself acquired new hope of a favorable result. As he was about
leaving, Landolin asked, drawing his hand over his eyes and forehead,
"Is the----Is his mother called as a witness?"
"The government counsel was willing to do without her. I was surprised,
but it was a good sign that he is not going to drive you to the wall. A
poor, bereaved old mother makes a bad impression on the jury. He is not
a bad man. He is, you know, a brother of your district judge's wife."
"That won't help me any."
"I think," continued the lawyer, "I think, the government counsel
himself will recommend to the jury to find that there were mitigating
circumstances."
"I will not have them find mitigating circumstances," cried Landolin,
his face reddening. "You may in my name, by my authority, refuse such a
verdict. I know what that means. It is easy for a jury to say guilty
when mitigating circumstances are tacked on; but when it's neck or
nothing, they think twice before they speak."
"Landolin, we are playing a serious game."
"I know it."
"Do you wish to address the jury yourself?"
"I don't know yet. I am afraid I should make some mistake."
"You can tell me your decision in the court-room. You have the
privilege of speaking."
"I never thought of it before. It's come to me since I have been in
prison. If I had my life to live over again, I'd like to be a lawyer."
The lawyer urged Landolin to try and sleep a little, for he had a hard
day before him, and must husband his strength. He would try to be fresh
and strong himself.