Page:The traitor; a story of the fall of the invisible empire (IA traitorstoryoffa00dixo).pdf/341

 "I'll prove my charge to the Court—every link in the chain of evidence is now complete," was the cool answer.

With the court room in an uproar, Larkin was arrested and placed between Ackerman and a deputy, and the trial resumed.

A brief conference between the District Attorney and Isaac preceded the first question asked by John's counsel after the disturbance.

"Now, Isaac," the lawyer began suavely, "the District Attorney has just promised to spare your life on condition that you tell us the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth—let's have it."

"Yassah," the Apostle responded in humble accents. "Mr. Larkin, he tell me ter say what I did, sah."

Larkin's head dropped and his keen eyes furtively sought the door.

"Who gave you that knife?"

A moment of breathless suspense rippled the crowded court room and every head was bent forward.

"Mr. Larkin gimme de knife! We'se been powful good friends, sah. I show him de undergroun' way fum de tomb inter de house. I'se de only black man dat know it—my daddy help dig it—yassah. Mr. Larkin de fust man I ebber tell