I stayed on the bench as the warmth drained out of me. Lest I freeze to death, I rose and headed away from the village. I had no desire to meet someone I knew and be drawn into polite conversation. Vomiting would have been preferable to that.

I ached for Horatio and Jared. I had known both since childhood. With them I would have violated the bond of confidentiality I had formed with Mrs. Powell. As for Albert and Robert, as close as I felt to them, I could not bring myself to do that. So there I was … on the horns of a dilemma like none I had ever experienced.

When I returned to the dormitory, Albert was headed out the main door. “I don’t know, boyo, you look as if the love of your just gave ya the heave-ho.” I shook my head, trying to muster a smile.

“Can’t be all that bad, Harry. Tell us about it. Might lighten your load.”

“Albert, you have no idea how much I would like to heed your counsel. But I cannot do that. With this matter, I am strictly on my own.”

He reached up and gently took hold of the back of my neck. “Whatever it is, friend, it will find its way to a proper conclusion. You know Robert and I will stand by ya no matter what?”

“I have no doubts about that, Albert. None at all.”

Sunday night I slept little, if at all. My recollection of Monday is blurry. I remember barely eating anything at all for breakfast. And I remember my examinations in Latin and geometry distracted me from the dilemma.

That evening, Albert, Robert, and I once again convened for our briefing with Shamus. He started right in.

“Well, lads, today was the prosecution’s turn to make a closing argument.” He grinned a little as we inched closer and nodded our heads.

“I’ve already pointed out the man has not the oratorical acumen of Carleton’s attorney. Not a natural persuader. Still … his words were compelling.

“I suppose it was the logic he invoked that made it so convincing. In his monotone voice he laid it all out.”

He admitted there was no eyewitness to point a finger at Carleton. And, yes, there was no physical evidence, like a gun stashed  in his closet. But the circumstantial evidence against him was strong. 

A number of persons had seen him in flagrantly intimate contact with Mrs. Powell. The day before the shooting, several witnesses had seen the two in a heated argument. Something about a recommendation Mr. Powell had written for his acceptance into Harvard?

“Maybe it wasn’t such a glowing one,” said Albert with a throaty chuckle. 

“Good, Albert. Almost forgot. That was part of the shouting match. Seems Carleton was none too pleased with the recommendation. Something about damning Carleton with faint praise.”

“The wanker still got accepted, now didn’t he?”

“Suspect that was due more to a generous donation to the college from his father than anything else,” I offered. That got derisive snorts and head shaking from Albert and Robert. 

“So the day ended with the judge giving the jury their instructions. and sending them off to deliberate. He reminded them that they were to base their decisions only on the evidence presented. Not on the urgings and exhortations of the prosecution  nor the defense. Perfunctory stuff.  I’ve heard such more than a few times in courtrooms.”

“And what’s your prediction on what they’ll come back with, Shamus?” asked Albert. “Thumbs up, thumbs down?”

“Juries are tough to read. I’ve been surprised more than a few times when I thought for sure they were about to hang a bloke whom they then set scot-free and vice versa. Still, for this one, my money’s on a conviction, and a quick one at that.”

“Harry,” said Robert, “You look like you’re gonna puke up what little you ate for dinner. Ca va?”

I waved a hand and shook my head to indicate I was fine. I was not, of course. I mumbled some excuse about the need to study and plodded off toward the dormitory. I faintly heard Albert say to Shamus and Robert, “Don’t know what’s eating him. Hasn’t been right since he came back from church yesterday.”