"Then they all expect that sort of a verdict, when it comes in." And so did he; but he had not had courage enough to put it into words.
He had been preparing himself for the worst, but after all his preparation the bare suggestion of the possibility of such a verdict struck him cold as death.
The friends grew impatient, now; the telegrams did not come fast enough: even the lightning could not keep up with their anxieties.

They walked the floor talking disjointedly and listening for the door-bell.

Telegram after telegram came.

Still no result.

By and by there was one which contained a single line: "Court now coming in after brief recess to hear verdict.