He was brief; the evidence of the
woman Rushton and of the recovered warrant proved everything. The case
was as clear as noonday. The jurors need not leave the box.
Without retiring, the jury found a verdict of guilty against both
prisoners.
The crier made proclamation of silence, and the awful sentence of
death was pronounced.
It was remarked that Justice Hide muttered something about a "writ of
error," and that when he rose from the bench he motioned the sheriff
to follow him.
CHAPTER XLIII.
LOVE KNOWN AT LAST.
Early next morning Willy Ray arrived at Shoulthwaite, splashed from
head to foot, worn and torn. He had ridden hard from Carlisle, but not
so fast but that two unwelcome visitors were less than half an hour's
ride behind him.
"Home again," he said, in a dejected tone, throwing down his whip as
he entered the kitchen, "yet _home_ no longer."
Rotha struggled to speak. "Ralph, where is he? Is he on the way?"
These questions were on her lips, but a great gulp was in her throat,
and not a word would come.
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