Section XVIII:

In this short section, the chief of police informs Trescott that they’ve found and jailed Henry, but they don’t know what to do with him. Trescott learns of the people Henry has “terrorized” and that a mob formed that threw rocks at and chased Henry.  Trescott also learns that the girl Henry scared is not well and that her family has chosen to use a different physician than their regular Dr. Trescott. Her father is calling for the arrest of Dr. Trescott.  The chief wants Trescott to go pick up Henry, free of bail, and to watch out for the mob around the jail.

Crane reveals many important things in this section. First, Henry escapes a rock-hurling mob down by the rail yards by outsmarting them and then finds a place to get through the night. If Henry was mentally deficient, could he have outwitted a crowd?  Second, the “normal” townspeople have adopted the mob mentality.  They want Henry gone and Trescott punished. They want to see the downfall of two people they once made heroes.

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