The answer to this question comes towards the beginning of
this final act, as Danforth interrogates Marshal Herrick and asks him when Reverend Hale
did arrive at the jail. Note how he asks Herrick, "suspiciously", what he is doing at
the jail. When Herrick responds that Hale is here to sit with those that are to be hung,
Danforth responds:
That man have no authority to enter here,
Marshal. Why have you let him
in?
Of course, what Danforth
is frightened of is that Hale and those on his side are usurping his authority and being
critical of the judgements that the court has made. It is fascinating to study the
character of Danforth, for he remains to set in his ways and convinced of the justice
and rightness of his cause even when everything else points to a much more logical
solution. He is so convinced that he is right even when innocents are hanging for his
pride and arrogance, which is of course what Hale has realised and is trying to prevent,
even if it means that those to be hung must lie to be saved.
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