Part 39 (1/2)
”You'll arrest her!” cried the lawyer.
”That's what I said, judge. She a material witness--the most important one the State has. I don't intend that she shall get away----”
”Arrest her! Oh, judge, don't let him do that!” exclaimed Annie in dismay.
Judge Brewster grew red in the face. Wrathfully he said:
”She is coming to my house of her own free will. She has trusted to my honor----”
”Yes--yes!” cried Annie. ”She trusts to your honor, judge.”
Captain Clinton grinned.
”Honor cuts mighty little ice in this matter. There's no use talking. I shall place her under arrest.”
”I will not permit such a disgraceful proceeding!” cried the lawyer.
”With all due respect, judge,” retorted the policeman impudently, ”you won't be consulted. You have declared yourself counsel for the man who has been indicted for murder--I didn't ask you to take me into your confidence--you invited me here, treated me to a lecture on psychology, for which I thank you very much, but I don't feel that I need any further instruction. If this woman ever does get here, the moment she leaves the house Maloney has instructions to arrest her, but I guess we needn't worry. She has probably forgotten her appointment. Some people are very careless in that respect.” Moving toward the door, he added: ”Well, if it's all the same to you, I'll wait downstairs. Good night.”
He went out, his hat impudently tilted back on his head, a sneer on his lips. The banker turned to the judge.
”I told you how it would be,” he said scornfully. ”A flash in the pan!”
The lawyer looked askance at Annie.
”You are sure she will come?” he asked.
”Yes, I am sure!” With concern she added: ”But the disgrace of arrest!
It will kill her! Oh, judge, don't let them arrest her!”
”Tell me who she is!” commanded the lawyer sternly.
It was the first time he had spoken to her harshly and Annie, to her dismay, thought she detected a note of doubt in his voice. Looking toward the banker, she replied:
”I can't tell you just now--she'll be here soon----”
”Tell me now--I insist,” said the lawyer with growing impatience.
”Please--please don't ask me!” she pleaded.
Mr. Jeffries made an angry gesture.
”As I told you, Brewster, her whole story is a fabrication trumped up for some purpose--G.o.d knows what object she has in deceiving us! I only know that I warned you what you always may expect from people of her cla.s.s.”
The judge said nothing for a moment. Then quietly he whispered to the banker:
”Go into my study for a few moments, will you, Jeffries?”
The banker made a gesture, as if utterly disgusted with the whole business.