按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
witness box。 Although paler than usual； the girl's manner was quiet； but
Clymer； a close student of human nature； decided she was keeping her
composure by will power alone； and his interest grew。
The Judge； from the Bench； was also regarding the handsome witness
and the burglar with close attention。 Colonel Charles McIntyre； a
wealthy manufacturer； had； upon his retirement from active business；
made the National Capital his home； and his name had become a
household word for philanthropy； while his twin daughters were both
popular in Washington's gay younger set。 Several reporters of local
papers； attracted by the mention of the McIntyre name； as well as by the
twins' appearance； watched the scene with keen expectancy； eager for
4
… Page 5…
THE RED SEAL
early morning 〃copy。〃
As the Assistant District Attorney rose to question Helen McIntyre； the
Judge addressed him。
〃Is the prisoner represented by counsel？〃 he asked。
For reply the burglar shook his head。 Rising slowly to his feet； Philip
Rochester advanced to the man's side。
〃If it please the court；〃 he began； 〃I will take the case for the prisoner。〃
His offer received a quick acceptance from the Bench； but the scowl
with which the burglar favored him was not pleasant。 Hitching at his
frayed flannel collar； the man partly turned his back on the lawyer and
listened with a heavy frown to Helen's quick answers to the questions put
to her。
〃While waiting for my sister to return from a dance early this
morning；〃 she stated； 〃I went downstairs into the library； and as I entered it
I saw a man slip across the room and into a coat closet。 I retained
enough presence of mind to steal across to the closet and turn the key in
the door； then I ran to the window and fortunately saw Officer O'Ryan
standing under the arc light across the street。 I called him and he arrested
the prisoner。〃
Her simple statement evoked a nod of approval from the Assistant
District Attorney； and Rochester frowned as he waived his right to cross…
examine her。 The next witness was Officer O'Ryan； and his testimony
confirmed Helen's。
〃The prisoner was standing back among the coats in the closet；〃 he
said。 〃My automatic against his ribs brought him out。〃
〃Did you search your prisoner？〃 asked Rochester； as he took the
witness。
〃Yes； sir。
〃Find any concealed weapons？〃
〃No； sir。〃
〃A burglar's kit？〃
〃No； sir。〃
〃Did the prisoner make a statement after his arrest？〃
〃No； sir； he came along peaceably enough； hardly a word out of him；〃
5
… Page 6…
THE RED SEAL
acknowledged O'Ryan regretfully。 He enjoyed a reputation on the force
as a 〃scrapper；〃 and a willing prisoner was a disappointment to his
naturally pugnacious disposition。
〃Did you search the house？〃
〃Sure； and haven't I been telling you I did？〃 answered O'Ryan； his
pride in his achievement in arresting a burglar in so fashionable a
neighborhood as Sheridan Circle was giving place to resentment at
Rochester's manner of addressing him。 At a sign from the lawyer； he left
the witness stand； and Rochester addressed the Judge。
〃I ask the indulgence of the court for more time；〃 he commenced； 〃that
I may consult my client and find if he desires to call witnesses。〃
〃The court finds；〃 responded the Judge； 〃that a clear case of house…
breaking has been proven against the prisoner by reputable witnesses。
He will have to stand trial。〃
For the first time the prisoner raised his eyes from contemplation of
the floor。
〃I demand trial by jury；〃 he announced。
〃It is your right；〃 acknowledged the Judge； and turned to consult his
calendar。
Stepping forward； the deputy marshal laid his hand on the burglar's
shoulder。
〃Go inside；〃 he directed and held open the cage door； which
immediately swung back into place； and Rochester； following closely at
the prisoner's heels； halted abruptly。 A fit of coughing shook the burglar
and he paused by the iron railing； gasping for breath。
〃Water；〃 he pleaded； and a court attendant handed a cup to Rochester；
standing just outside the cage； and he passed it over the iron railing to the
burglar。 Then turning on his heel the lawyer rejoined Clymer； his
discontent plainly discernible。
〃A clear case against your client；〃 remarked Clymer； reading his
thoughts。 〃Don't take the affair to heart； man； you did your best under
difficulties。〃
Rochester shook his head gloomily。 〃I might have … Jove！ why
didn't I ask for bail？〃
6
… Page 7…
THE RED SEAL
〃Bail！〃 The banker suppressed a chuckle as he eyed the threadbare
suit and tattered appearance of the burglar； who had resumed his seat in
the prisoner's cage。 〃Who would have stood surety for that scarecrow？〃
〃I would have。〃 Rochester spoke with some vehemence； but his
words were partly drowned by the violent fit of coughing which again
shook the burglar； and before he could finish his sentence； Helen McIntyre
stood at his elbow。 She bowed gravely to Clymer who rose at her
approach； and laid a persuasive hand on Rochester's sleeve。
〃Will you come with us？〃 she asked。 〃Barbara and Dr。 Stone are
ready to leave。 The doctor wishes to …〃 As she spoke she looked across
at Stone； who stood opposite her in the little group。 He failed to catch
both her word and her eye； his gaze； passing over her shoulder； was
riveted on the burglar。
〃Something is wrong；〃 he announced and pushed past Barbara。 〃Let
me inside the cage；〃 he directed as the deputy marshal kept the gate closed
at his approach。 〃Your prisoner appears ill。〃
One glance at