Part 30 (2/2)
Annie leaned forward. What did this questioning mean? Was the judge becoming interested after all? Her heart gave a leap as she answered eagerly:
”He confessed against his will. I mean--he didn't know what he was doing at the time. I've had a talk with the physician who was called in--Dr.
Bernstein. He says that Captain Clinton is a hypnotist, that he can compel people to say what he wants them to say. Well, Howard is--what they call a subject--they told him he did it till he believed he did.”
She looked narrowly at the lawyer to see what effect her words were having, but to her great disappointment the judge was apparently paying not the slightest attention. He was gazing out of the window and drumming his fingers absent-mindedly on the desk. Utterly discouraged, she again rose.
”Oh, well, what's the use----?”
The judge quickly put out his hand and partly pushed her back in the chair.
”Don't go,” he said. Then he added:
”Who told you he was a hypnotic subject?”
Her hopes revived once more. Quickly she said:
”Dr. Bernstein. Besides, Howard told me so himself. A friend of his at college used to make him cut all sorts of capers.”
”A friend at college, eh? Do you remember his name?”
”Howard knows it.”
”Um!” e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed the lawyer. He took up a pad and wrote a memorandum on it. Then aloud he said: ”I'd like to have a little talk with Dr.
Bernstein. I think I'll ask him to come and see me. Let me see. His address is----”
”342 Madison Avenue,” she exclaimed eagerly.
The lawyer jotted the address down, and then he looked up.
”So you think I'm afraid of Mr. Jeffries, do you?”
She smiled.
”Oh, no, not really afraid,” she answered, ”but just--scared. I didn't mean----”
Judge Brewster was enjoying the situation hugely. He had quite made up his mind what to do, but he liked to quiz this bold young woman who had not been afraid to show him where his duty lay. Striving to keep a serious face, he said:
”Oh, yes, you did, and I want you to understand I'm not afraid of any man. As to allowing my personal interests to interfere with my duty----”
Annie took alarm. She was really afraid she had offended him.
”Oh, I didn't say that, did I?” she exclaimed timidly.
Judge Brewster forced his face into a frown.
”You said I knew on which side my bread was b.u.t.tered!”
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