Part 36 (1/2)
”Yes,” retorted the judge quickly, ”it's beginning to sprout, captain!”
There was a sudden interruption caused by the entrance of the butler, who approached his master and whispered something to him. Aloud the judge said:
”Ask her to wait till we are ready.”
The servant retired and Captain Clinton turned to the judge. With mock deference, he said:
”Say, Mr. Brewster, you're a great const.i.tutional lawyer--the greatest in this country--and I take off my hat to you, but I don't think criminal law is in your line.”
Judge Brewster pursed his lips and his eyes flashed as he retorted quickly:
”I don't think it's const.i.tutional to take a man's mind away from him and subst.i.tute your own, Captain Clinton.”
”What do you mean?” demanded the chief.
”I mean that instead of bringing out of this man his own true thoughts of innocence, you have forced into his consciousness your own false thoughts of his guilt.”
The judge spoke slowly and deliberately, making each word tell. The police bully squirmed uneasily on his chair.
”I don't follow you, judge. Better stick to international law. This police court work is beneath you.”
”Perhaps it is,” replied the lawyer quickly without losing his temper.
Then he asked: ”Captain, will you answer a few questions?”
”It all depends,” replied the other insolently.
”If you don't,” cried the judge sharply, ”I'll ask them through the medium of your own weapon--the press. Only my press will not consist of the one or two yellow journals you inspire, but the independent, dignified press of the United States.”
The captain reddened.
”I don't like the insinuation, judge.”
”I don't insinuate, Captain Clinton,” went on the lawyer severely, ”I accuse you of giving an untruthful version of this matter to two sensational newspapers in this city. These scurrilous sheets have tried this young man in their columns and found him guilty, thus prejudicing the whole community against him before he comes to trial. In no other country in the civilized world would this be tolerated, except in a country overburdened with freedom.”
Captain Clinton laughed boisterously.
”The early bird catches the worm,” he grinned. ”They asked me for information and got it.”
Judge Brewster went on:
”You have so prejudiced the community against him that there is scarcely a man who doesn't believe him guilty. If this matter ever comes to trial how can we pick an unprejudiced jury? Added to this foul injustice you have branded this young man's wife with every stigma that can be put on womanhood. You have hinted that she is the mysterious female who visited Underwood on the night of the shooting and openly suggested that she is the cause of the crime.”
”Well, it's just possible,” said the policeman with effrontery.
Judge Brewster was fast losing his temper. The man's insolent demeanor was intolerable. Half rising from his chair and pointing his finger at him, he continued:
”You have besmirched her character with stories of scandal. You have linked her name with that of Underwood. The whole country rings with falsities about her. In my opinion, Captain Clinton, your direct object is to destroy the value of any evidence she may give in her husband's favor.”
The chief looked aggrieved.