Were you hidden, or not?
I was hid.
Where?
Behind the elms that s on the edge of the grave.
Injun Joe gave a barely perceptible start.
Any one with you?
Yes, sir. I went there with
Wait wait a moment. Never mind mentioning your companion s name. We
will produce him at the proper time. Did you carry anything there with
you.
Tom hesitated and looked confused.
Speak out, my boy don t be diffident. The truth is always respectable.
What did you take there?
Only a a dead cat.
There was a ripple of mirth, which the court checked.
We will produce the skeleton of that cat. Now, my boy, tell us
everything that occurred tell it in your own way don t skip anything,
and don t be afraid.
Tom began hesitatingly at first, but as he warmed to his subject his
words flowed more and more easily; in a little while every sound ceased
but his own voice; every eye fixed itself upon him; with parted lips and
bated breath the audience hung upon his words, taking no note of time,
rapt in the ghastly fascinations of the tale. The strain upon pent
emotion reached its climax when the boy said:
and as the doctor fetched the board around and Muff Potter fell, Injun
Joe jumped with the knife and
152