Laterthatm,threemen-twolawyersandthejudge-satinchamberswhileLonfinishedspeaking.Itwasamomentbeforethejudgeanswered.

    "Itsanunusualrequest,"hesaid,pthesituation."Itseemstomethetrialcouldverywellendtoday.Areyousayingthisurgentmattertwaituntillaterthiseveningortomorrow?

    "No,YourHonor,itt,"Lonansweredalmosttooquickly.Stayrelaxed,hetoldhimself.Takeadeepbreath.

    "Andithasnothingtodowiththiscase?"

    "No,YourHonor.Itsofapersonalnature.Iknowitsoutoftheordinary,butIreallyakecareofit."Good,better.

    Thejudgeleanedbahischair,evaluatinghimforamoment."Mr.Bates,howdoyoufeelaboutthis?"

    Heclearedhisthroat."Mr.HammondcalledmethismandIvealreadyspokentomyts.TheyrewillingtopostpoilMonday."

    "Isee,"thejudgesaid."Anddoyoubelieveitisinyourtsbestiodothis?"

    "Ibelieveso,"hesaid."Mr.Hammondhasagreedtoreopendiscussionoainmatternotcoveredbythisproceeding."

    Thejudgelookedhardatbothofthemandthoughtaboutit."Idontlikeit,"hefinallysaid,"notatall.ButMr.Hammondhasnevermadeasimilarrequestbefore,andIassumethematterisveryimportanttohim."

    Hepausedforeffect,thenlookedtosomepapersonhisdesk."IllagreetoadjournuntilMonday.Nineoclocksharp."

    "Thankyou,YourHonor,"Lonsaid.

    Twomierhewasleavingthecourthouse.Hewalkedtothecarhehadparkeddirectlyacrossthestreet,gotin,ahedrivetoNewBern,hishandsshaking.松语文学Www.