From the irregular mode of proceeding,
the fatal knife had not been exhibited in court. Suddenly, a juror
called for it, and it could nowhere be found! The sheriff swore that he
had left it in the clerk's office, where he supposed it to be entirely
safe. Upon searching for it, however, in the drawer where he had
deposited it, the weapon was missing.
"When that fact was stated, I saw a curious expression pass over the
faces of more than one of the jury. They evidently suspected foul play.
"'Was the door of the office locked?' asked one of them.
"'Yes, sir,' was the reply.
"'Were the windows secured?'
"'By shutters with bolts.'
"'Are all the bolts on the windows of this building firm?'
"'I think so, sir.'
"'There is one, that is not!' said the juror.
"And he pointed to a long iron bolt on one of the windows, which bore
evident traces of having been rent from its socket.
"The sheriff looked in amazement in the direction indicated.
"'You are right, sir!' he said; 'some one has entered the court-house
by breaking open the shutter, and stolen that knife from the clerk's
office, which is never locked.'
"A meaning silence followed the words. It was not difficult to
understand it. The jury looked at each other, and in their glances I
could read this--'Mr.
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