The Judge waited a few moments, the tap of his lead-pencil sounding
through the stillness, and then asked if the attorney for the defence
was ready.
No one answered. Again the Judge put the question, this time with some
impatience.
Then he addressed the prisoner.
"Is your lawyer present?"
Bud bent forward in his chair, put his hands on his knees, and answered
slowly, without a tremor in his voice:
"I ain't got none. One come yisterday to the jail, but he didn't like
what I tol' him and he ain't showed up since."
A spectator sitting by the door, between an old man and a young girl,
both evidently from the mountains, rose to his feet and walked briskly
to the open space before the Judge. He had sharp, restless eyes, wore
gloves, and carried a silk hat in one hand.
"In the absence of the prisoner's counsel, your Honor," he said, "I am
willing to go on with this case. I was here when it opened and have
heard all the testimony. I have also conferred with some of the
witnesses for the defence.
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