The village was very busy. The trial (a meeting in court to decide if someone is a criminal) for the murder started. Everyone talked about it. Tom Sawyer was very afraid. He thought people knew his secret. He felt cold all the time.
Tom Sawyer took Huckleberry Finn to a quiet place. He wanted to talk. Tom Sawyer asked, “Huckleberry Finn, did you tell anyone about the murder?” Huckleberry Finn said, “No. We would die in two days if people knew. I will never tell.”
Tom Sawyer felt better. But he asked again, “Can anyone make you tell?” Huckleberry Finn answered, “No. Injun Joe would kill me.” They promised again to keep the secret. It was a very serious promise.
They talked about Muff Potter. Everyone in town said Muff Potter was a killer. Tom Sawyer felt very sorry for him. Muff Potter was usually a kind man. He helped the boys with their kites. He gave Huckleberry Finn food sometimes.
The boys went to the jail. They gave Muff Potter tobacco and matches. Muff Potter was very happy to see them. He said, “You are my only friends. Everyone else forgot me.” Tom Sawyer felt very bad. He felt like a coward (a person who is not brave).
Muff Potter said he was sorry. He was drunk and did not remember the murder. He told the boys, “Do not drink alcohol. Then you will not go to jail.” He touched their hands through the bars. Tom Sawyer went home. He had many bad dreams that night.
The next morning, everyone went to the court (the place where a judge decides if someone is guilty). This was the most important day. Muff Potter looked very old and sad. He had chains on his hands. Injun Joe was there, too. He sat very still.
The judge (the person in charge of a court) arrived. The trial began. A witness (a person who sees something happen) spoke first. He saw Muff Potter washing blood in a brook. Another person found a knife near the dead doctor. It was Muff Potter’s knife.
The lawyer for Muff Potter asked no questions. The people in the room were very surprised. They were angry at the lawyer. They thought the lawyer did not want to help Muff Potter. More people spoke about Muff Potter’s bad behavior.
The lawyer for the prosecution (the lawyers who try to prove someone is guilty) finished his work. He said, “Muff Potter killed the doctor. There is no doubt.” Muff Potter put his face in his hands. He started to cry. Many people in the room felt sad.
Then, the lawyer for Muff Potter stood up. He said, “I have a new plan.” He called Tom Sawyer to the front. Everyone was very surprised. Even Muff Potter looked up. Tom Sawyer walked to the front. He was very afraid.
The lawyer asked, “Tom Sawyer, where were you on June 17th at midnight?” Tom Sawyer looked at the face of Injun Joe. Tom Sawyer was too scared to speak. The room was very quiet. Then, Tom Sawyer used a loud voice. He said, “I was in the graveyard!”
Injun Joe smiled, but it was a mean smile. The lawyer asked, “Were you near the grave of Horse Williams?” Tom Sawyer said, “Yes, sir.” The lawyer asked if he was hiding. Tom Sawyer said he was behind some trees.
Injun Joe looked surprised for a moment. The lawyer asked, “Did you have anything with you?” Tom Sawyer was embarrassed. He said, “I had a dead cat.” Some people laughed. The judge told them to be quiet.
Tom Sawyer told the whole story. Everyone in the room was very quiet. They listened to every word. Tom Sawyer spoke about the doctor and the fight. Then he reached the end of the story.
Tom Sawyer said, “Muff Potter fell down. Then, Injun Joe took the knife and—” Suddenly, there was a loud noise! Injun Joe jumped very quickly. He ran to a window and broke it. Before anyone could stop him, Injun Joe was gone!