Mr. Heck Tate, the sheriff, and Mr. Underwood, the owner of the town's newspaper, The Maycomb Tribune, come to church on Sunday to bring Atticus the news that Tom Robinson had been moved to the Maycomb jail.
Sheriff Tate and some others had expressed their concern to Atticus earlier that there would be trouble if Tom were brought to the jail. The sheriff had asked Atticus if he could possibly get a postponement of the trial, and another man had suggested asking for a change of venue, but Atticus pointed out that he had gotten one postponement already, just "to make sure there's nothing to be uneasy about", and reiterated his intention to go through with the trial. Even though he knows it is likely, just because of the racial climate of the times, that Tom Robinson "might go to the chair" no matter what he does, Atticus is determined to do everything he can to see that the truth be told. That night, Atticus goes to the jail himself and sits outside in front reading to protect his client from anyone seeking to take the law into their own hands. Sure enough, a mob arrrives, but Atticus, with the help of Scout, is able to talk sense into the men and safeguard Tom Robinson's life, at least until the trial (Chapter 15).
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