The village was very busy. The trial for the murder was about to start. Everyone talked about it. Tom Sawyer was very afraid. He thought people knew his secret. He felt cold all the time.
Tom took Huckleberry Finn to a quiet place. He wanted to talk. Tom asked, “Huck, did you tell anyone about the murder?” Huck said, “No. We would die in two days if people knew. I will never tell.”
Tom felt better. But he asked again, “Can anyone make you tell?” Huck answered, “No. Indian 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 felt very sorry for him. Muff Potter was usually a kind man. He helped the boys with their kites. He gave Huck 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 felt very bad. He felt like a coward.
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 went home. He had many bad dreams that night.
The next morning, everyone went to the court. This was the most important day. Muff Potter looked very old and sad. He had chains on his hands. Indian Joe was there, too. He sat very still.
The judge arrived. The trial began. A witness spoke first. He saw Muff Potter washing blood off his hands 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 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 would like to call a witness.” He called Tom to the front. Everyone was very surprised. Even Muff Potter looked up. Tom walked to the front. He was very afraid.
The lawyer asked, “Tom, where were you on June 17th at midnight?” Tom looked at the face of Indian Joe. Tom was too scared to speak. The room was very quiet. Then, Tom used a loud voice. He said, “I was in the graveyard!”
Indian Joe smiled, but it was a mean smile. The lawyer asked, “Were you near the grave of Horse Williams?” Tom said, “Yes, sir.” The lawyer asked if he was hiding. Tom said he was behind some trees.
Indian Joe looked surprised for a moment. The lawyer asked, “Did you have anything with you?” Tom was embarrassed. He said, “I had a dead cat.” Some people laughed. The judge told them to be quiet.
Tom told the whole story. Everyone in the room was very quiet. They listened to every word. Tom spoke about the doctor and the fight. Then he reached the end of the story.
Tom said, “Muff Potter fell down. Then, Indian Joe jumped forward with the knife and—” Suddenly, Indian Joe jumped up! With a loud crash, he broke through a window. Before anyone could stop him, Indian Joe was gone!