ten o'clock
It would take long weeks to get the evidence in his case from New Orleans , but the two victims at Cooke knew well that their case was clear . There was no use in fighting . The sooner they were tried the shorter term would they serve as prisoners . Nevins finished at ten o'clock . Loring 's brief stupefaction was conquered not without evident effort . Vouchsafing no response to the plea of the accused for mercy , he announced that he submitted the case without remark , and the president nodded to Nevins the intimation that he might retire . Nevins slowly gained his feet , took a long look about the silent array , hesitated , and then with his eyes on Loring said : `` I should like to be assured that the judge advocate accepts the trust .