CHAPTER XLII.
Master Raymond Astonishes the Magistrates.
The examination was to commence at three o'clock in the afternoon, and to be held in the Court House in the town, as being more convenient to Squire Hathorne than the meeting-house in the village.
As Master Thomas Putnam's house and farm were several miles beyond the village, it made quite a long ride for them to attend the examination.
He had arranged with his wife, however, to start immediately after their usual twelve o'clock dinner, taking her behind him on a pillion, as was customary at that day--his daughter Ann being already in town, where she was paying a visit to a friend.

He had received however a message about ten o'clock, requesting his immediate presence at Ipswich, on a matter of the most urgent importance; and though he was greatly puzzled by it, he concluded to go at once to Ipswich and go from there direct to Salem town, without coming home again, as it would be very much out of his road to do so.
According to this new arrangement, Mistress Ann would take the other horse, and a lady's saddle, and ride to town by herself.

They had still a third horse, but that was already in town with her daughter.
The Court House was but a short distance from the prison; and, as it was a good Puritan fashion to be punctual to the minute, at three o'clock precisely Squires Hathorne and Corwin were in their arm-chairs, and Master Raymond standing on the raised platform in front of them.

As the latter looked carefully around the room, he saw that neither Thomas Putnam nor his mischievous wife, nor his own best friend Joseph Putnam, was present.

Squire Hathorne also observed that Mistress Ann Putnam was not present; but, as she was usually very punctual, he concluded that she would be there in a few minutes, and after some whispered words with his colleague, resolved to proceed with the examination.
Turning to the young Englishman, he said in his usual stern tones:--"Ellis Raymond, you are brought before authority, upon high suspicion of sundry acts of witchcraft.