"You  have  not  told  me  when  the  trial  is  to  come  off,"  he
exclaimed,  finally,  "or  isn't  that  decided  yet?"

"In  three  days  from  now."

"Whew!  but  they  are  speedy!  Let  me  see,  the  robbery
happened  eight  days  ago.  That  is  hardly  giving  him  time  to
turn  around."

"That's  what  I  think,  but  Mr.  Seymour  says  it's  the  way,
and  that  Uncle  Job  wishes  it  hurried,"  I  answered.
"Yes;  and  it's  as  good  a  way  as  any.  The  sooner  men
are  tried  and  afforded  a  chance  to  prove  their  innocence,  or
stand  convicted,  the  more  likely  justice  is  to  be  done.  Only
time  enough  should  be  given  to  get  together  the  evidence.
More  than  that  is  a  trick."


304  The  Romance  of  Gilbert  Holmes

"Enough  time  hasn't  been  allowed  Uncle  Job,"
I  answered,  "for  there's  only  three  days  more,  and  nothing
has  been  done."

"I  don't  know.  A  good  many  things  might  happen  in
three  days,  Gilbert;  so  don't  be  too  downhearted.  Go  back
to  town  and  see  what  more  you  can  learn,  and  don't  forget  to
spy  out  what  Moth  and  the  constable  are  doing.  Then  come
here  the  second  night  from  this,  crammed  with  news,  and
I  will  be  here  to  meet  you.  You  are  sure,  though,  that  you
have  told  me  everything  you  have  heard?"  he  added.
