six o'clock
May God direct and control your decision . '' Drifting along the stream of testimony that rolled in front of the jury-box , an eager and excited public had with scarcely a dissenting voice arrived at the conclusion , that the verdict was narrowed to the limits of only two possibilities . It was confidently expected that the jury would either acquit unconditionally , or fail to agree ; thus prolonging suspense , by a mistrial . It was six o'clock when , the jurors , bearing the andiron , handkerchief , pipe , and a diagram of the bedroom at `` Elm Bluff '' , were led away to their final deliberation ; yet so well assured was the mass of spectators , that they would promptly return to render a favorable verdict , that despite the inclemency of the weather , there was no perceptible diminution of the anxious crowd of men and women . The night had settled prematurely down , black and stormy ; and though the fury of the gale seemed at one time to have spent itself , the wind veered to the implacable east , and instead of fitful gusts , a steady roaring blast freighted with rain smote the darkness . The officer conducted his prisoner across the dim corridor , and opened the door of the small anteroom , which frequent occupancy had rendered gloomily familiar . `` I wish I could make you more comfortable , and it is a shame to shut you up in such an ice-box .