“The dead man has been buried. A vile wrong has been avenged. If this were a case in court, with the facts presented as I have learned them, I as Judge of Court would dismiss the case as already having been settled. If it were tried, the verdict would most certainly be that the killing was justified. There will be no trial of Roman Elk, and no judgment against him this side of Judgment Day. Any further airing of the events would serve no purpose of justice and would only distress the lady who has already suffered greatly and who deserves our every consideration. Is there any objection to this settlement, any further comment, or are we in agreement?”

“Agreed,” Leon said.

The others looked at Roscoe Elk. After holding them with one of his long pauses, he spoke at last. “However grieved I may be at the—you must allow me to say—principal victim of these circumstances, my son Alonzo Elk, I have the hope that he has found forgiveness and understanding with the Lord God Jehovah.” The three white men stared down at their hands, frowning. “As for my wife’s son, Roman, I move, I recommend, I urge—with consideration given to the fact that I am no ordinary ‘free colored person,’ but one of substantial properties and thus deserving the law’s consideration—I urge that the man carrying the name of Roman Elk be banished not only from the plantation called Beulah Land and the town of Highboro, but the State of Georgia, for so long as he may live.”

Judge Maynard and Leon looked at each other, startled at this proposal. But the judge had some experience reading men’s faces; reading Leon’s now, and wanting to finish the case and go home, he asked, “Have you any objection?”

For the first time in his life Leon felt grateful to Roscoe. “I have none,” he said.

Driscoll Proctor waited with Bruce and Adam Davis outside the jailhouse to hear from Leon when he emerged what had transpired inside. Proctor then made known the invitation that had been extended to Roman by his friend, Miss Eliza Truman, in Philadelphia. It was received by all as an excellent solution to the situation.