Page:That Royle Girl (Balmer).pdf/213



"," said Max Elmen to Joan Daisy. "Sleep is all I order now. Do not worry for one wink. All is ready; you are prepared. Every word you understand. Sleep, now, for the brightness of the eye beyond any which belladonna can give you. Besides," interpolated Max, "belladonna relaxes altogether too much the pupils, reducing the iris which in you is such beautiful blue. So simply sleep, until to-morrow Herman calls you. That is all."

Sleep, for to-morrow starts the trial; to-morrow Ket will be led from the jail across the Bridge of Sighs into court, where, although for the first time in three months he will not see steel bars between himself and daylight, he is granted this indulgence only because he is called, at last, to answer for his life.

To-morrow, in the morning, the People of Illinois—the millions and millions of people of the State, which Joan Daisy now knows to mean not merely the State of Illinois nor the State of all the United States, but the State of civilized people—the State will set in motion its terrible, merciless machinery designed to kill Ket. Assistant State's Attorney Clarke will start it; and Joan Daisy Royle is to be placed in its path to stop it. Max Elmen, patiently and repeatedly, has drilled her in what she shall say and do; but at the most critical moment, he can not help her; he must say to the State, "Take the witness," and she must depend upon herself thereafter. Maybe throughout two days; perhaps through three or four. Who knows?

At every moment, throughout these days, Ket's life will depend upon her wit instantly to answer, never to con-