In a flash Darrell understood his father's summons. He let the paper
fall and, unmindful of his breakfast, gazed abstractedly out of the
window. His thoughts had reverted to that scene in the sleeper on his
first trip west. He seemed to see it again in all its sickening detail,
the face of the assassin standing out before him with such startling
distinctness and realism that he involuntarily placed his hand over his
eyes to shut out the hateful sight.
At Galena he was met by his father, who took a closed carriage to his
hotel, conducting Darrell immediately to his own room, where he ordered
lunch served for both.
"Do you know why I have sent for you?" Mr. Britton inquired, as soon as
they were left alone together.
"I had no idea when I started," Darrell replied, "but on reading the
morning paper, on my way over, I concluded you wanted me at that trial
this afternoon."
"You are correct. Are you prepared to identify that face? Is your
recollection of it as distinct as ever?"
"Yes; after reading of that bank robbery this morning, the whole affair
in the car that night came back to me so vividly I could see the man's
face as clearly as any face on the train with me."
"Good!" Mr. Britton ejaculated.
"Do you think there is any likelihood of an attempt to rescue him, as
stated by the paper?" Darrell inquired, rather incredulously.
"If the leader of the band finds himself in need of help it will be
forthcoming," Mr. Britton answered, with peculiar emphasis. "The
citizens are expecting trouble and have sworn in about a dozen extra
deputy sheriffs, myself among the number."
When lunch was over Mr. Britton ordered a carriage at once, and they
proceeded to the court-room.
"What is your opinion of this man?" Darrell asked his father, while on
the way. "Would you have selected him as the murderer, from your study
of him?"
"I reserve my opinions until later," Mr. Britton replied. "I want you to
act from memory alone, unbiased by any outside influence."
Arriving at the court-room, they found it already well filled. Darrell
was about to enter, but his father took him into a small anteroom, while
he himself went to look for seats. He had a little difficulty in finding
the seats he wanted, which delayed them so that proceedings had begun as
he and Darrell entered from a side door and took their places in rather
an obscure part of the room.
"You will have a good view here," Mr. Britton said to Darrell, as they
seated themselves, "and there is little likelihood of your being
recognized from this point."
"There is little probability of the man's recognizing me, even if he is
here," Darrell replied, "for he did not give me a second thought that
night, and if he had, I am so changed he would not know me."