His entrance was unhurried and his manner quietly confident; he put aside his well-worn overcoat and took his seat at the counsel table.

A little ripple of respectful comment had greeted his appearance; this died away when the baize doors at the back of the room swung open again to admit North and the sheriff.
North's face was white, but he wore a look of high courage.

He understood to the full the dreadful hazard of the next few moments.

With never a glance to the right or to the left, he crossed the room and took his seat; as he settled himself in his chair, Belknap hurried into court.
Judge Langham had not yet appeared, and the crowd focused its attention on the shut door leading into his private office.

Presently this door was seen to open slowly, and the judge's spare erect figure paused on the threshold.