Part 37 (2/2)
”No, captain--it's a very old one,” interrupted the lawyer sternly, ”but it's new to us. We're barely on the threshold of the discovery. It certainly explains these other cases, doesn't it?”
”I don't know that it does,” objected the captain, shaking his head. ”I don't acknowledge----”
Judge Brewster sat down. Looking the policeman squarely in the face, he said slowly and deliberately:
”Captain Clinton, whether you acknowledge it or not, I can prove that you obtained these confessions by means of hypnotic suggestion, and that is a greater crime against society than any the State punishes or pays you to prevent.”
The captain laughed and shrugged his shoulders. Indifferently he said:
”I guess the boys up at Albany can deal with that question.”
”The boys up at Albany,” retorted the lawyer, ”know as little about the laws of psychology as you do. This will be dealt with at Was.h.i.+ngton!”
The captain yawned.
”I didn't come here to hear about that--you were going to produce the woman who called on Underwood the night of the murder--that was what I came here for--not to hear my methods criticised--where is she?”
”One thing at a time,” replied the judge. ”First, I wanted to show you that we know Howard Jeffries' confession is untrue. Now we'll take up the other question.” Striking a bell on his desk, he added: ”This woman can prove that Robert Underwood committed suicide.”
”She can, eh?” exclaimed the captain sarcastically. ”Maybe she did it herself. Some one did it, that's sure!”
The library door opened and the butler entered.
”Yes, some one did it!” retorted the judge; ”we agree there!” To the servant he said: ”Ask Mrs. Jeffries, Jr., to come here.”
The servant left the room and the captain turned to the judge with a laugh:
”Is she the one? Ha! ha!--that's easy----”
The judge nodded.
”She has promised to produce the missing witness to-night.”
”She has, eh?” exclaimed the captain.
Rising quickly from his chair, he crossed the room and talked in an undertone with his sergeant. This new turn in the case seemed to interest him. Meantime Mr. Jeffries, who had followed every phase of the questioning with close attention, left his seat and went over to Judge Brewster.
”Is it possible,” he exclaimed, ”is it possible that Underwood shot himself? I never dreamed of doubting Howard's confession!” More cordially he went on: ”Brewster, if this is true, I owe you a debt of grat.i.tude--you've done splendid work--I--I'm afraid I've been just a trifle obstinate.”
”Just a trifle,” said the judge dryly.
Sergeant Maloney took his hat.
”Hurry up!” said the captain, ”you can telephone from the corner drug store.”
”All right, Cap'.”
Dr. Bernstein also rose to depart.
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