Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-03-30
CHAPTER VI.
IT PUZZLED THE JUDGE.

tlIudLeu NehpOu'
CHAPTER VI.
IT PUZZLED THE JUDGE.
While the little party was on its way 70
the abode of Justice Drano had time 10
bring his mind to one definite ana VhiuhpIe
conclusion. Hie misfOrtunes on similar
occasion had been aggravated by his own
iniudicious utterances. lie resolved, 10
keen still this time, even If he had to hire
somebody TO gag HIM.
II was little that he knew about New
York except as to its pavements ana ltS
distances. and both these he was prepared
to condemn as emphatically as would any
reformer. He had not supposed that ms
second arrest took place in the same Jli-
dicial district in which his first came 10
mass Nv reason of his rehabilitation his
nerves had maintained mir poisc curing
the short Journey to the court, but wnen
he saw the onate tower Of Jefferson Mar
ket ahead of him and then realized that
no yras bound to appear before the same
Justice who had lectured him but day or
two previously. they fell to quiyering omi-
nouelv. Nevertheless be kept up appear
ances and eutered the courtroom with an
air Of dignihed self-possession.
The bulk of the days business had oeen
cleared away. so he and his companion IN
OStfcSS Wtlc oUiiA4NNN' "
"what is this case?" demanded the
This man, " responded tho policeman;
Jerking his thumb towards the RACED
tramp, accuses this gentleman OF steal
inc ms clothes. "
The Judge glanced in surprise from one
to the other of the parties, and he looked
sharply ct Lawrence as If the lace re-
= Ibnf1 Dp a
dercd the complainant to step up ana
asked him his name.
Lawrence Drane,' was the cool reply.
Again the Judge seemed TO be trying
TO recall something out OF the aim re-
cesses of his memory. but the effort
failed. and he composed himself TO
listen 10 the complainants story, Inc
false Drane told exactly what nau nap
nened at the bath-house. not devlatlng
in the slightest particular from the
truth. except as his story implied, ms
claim to ownership IN the clothes which
the real Drane had on.
"Dld YOU ever see the prisoner be-
fore?" asked the Judge.
II think saw him not more than three
DAYS ACC" replied tho impostOr. - 1t was
late in the afternoon and he had skate on.
| remember him because OF these rags
which he wore at the time. =,
The judge turned to Mr.. Drane, who had
been listening intently, and began the ex-
animation in tho usual way, by asking ms
name. Lawrence was yehemently moved
70 denounce his accuser, but he recalled
his determination to control his tongue IN
This enisode. therefore he responded SIM
ply Duono,
A big scowl tangled the Judges eye
hrows and puckered up bis lips. Judicial
memory was again IN process OF castlga-
tion. This time the mental proddlng
turned up a clew.
" Haven't You been here before ?" he de-
manded sternly.
Mr.. Drane's conscience wriggled and
eroaned under the temptation of menda-
city. He was immorally certain that good
lie would be more eiiicaclOus IN the emer-
eency than q guardian angel; but his gen.
tIemanly instincts revolted at lying, espe-
ciallv when he knew he was in the right.
Moreover the angel was present at the
courtroom, though Lawrence didn't know
it and she had not as yet discovered him.
Perhaps her influence had something to 90
with Inducing him to falter an affirmative
to the Judges question. The reply stlmu-
lated the Judges memory wonderfully.
You tried to pass yourself under two
names then, didn't you z" he continued.
May / explain. your Honor
"Did YOU or didn't you? Speak upl"
81 did. YOUR Honor, but there were cir
cumstances then that justified me. | was
in trouble and hardly knew what l was
&out." -,
have justified you in lying about your
Nance" a. -.
here was an opportunity to make a full eX-
nlonation of his situation, but so much
trouble had come To him from such at
tennis that he renewed his determination
to say absolutely nothing. So he responded
q decline to say
This surprised and angered the Judge
and he ordered the officer TO search Law
renee. They took from him all his papers
his money. and his watch. They console.
rately left him his handkerchief. Upsei
by the indignity Of this proceeding, he ex'
claimed: ,.rY
renee Drane. | live in Kansas City and
am in New York simply on my way 10 Bos,
ton. where propose to negotiate capital
| tor q railroad"
VERY we'll" said the Judge dryly, and
turning to the impostor what have you
Why" was the reply, that am Law
renee Drane and that this fellow Is teiiihe
NV story. Those papers and letters wnlen
YOU have will probably make the matter
clear. Doubtless he glanced at them al tne
bath and 50 got his points" ..ho.
The Judge looked at the papers; but lneS
| failed To satisfy him. He asked Tor VII
nesses, and the attendants at the Oatn "ei'
sworn. H.
(which of these men," asked the Judge
"came to the bath in good clothes aho
| which one in rags 2" q.
| II remember," said the witness, hest
tating. that took follow III those rag
TO a room. and think ii was that one,
pointing to Lawrence. when be was II
the sweatng-room." he continued; III
| looked lust about like anybody else.
There Is an individuality IN legs, OUT lev
men recognize it, not even attendants a.
baths who have Unrestricted opportu NJ ~.
for observation. The testimony. OF thes'
witnesses made ii pretty clear that Law
renee had left the bath with better clothes
than he wore when he entered, but tneN
| could do nothing TO clear up the question
Of identity, lilo,
Then Lawrence requested the priviieR'
of examining the plaintiff. This granteu
be confused the fellow IN short oruer y.
putting a series of questions designed y
bring out his knowledge Of Kansas Cii.
and his familiarity with the business ini3
sion in which he pretended TO be engas%1Ju "a.
The scale appeared to be turning M ~,
Drane's favor. Justice was still IN aouo;!
however. and the Court declared thas !
would be necessary TO get some direct evi
dence as to the identity of each claiman
TO the name of Drane.
II think. your Honor, said the impostosl
THAT the people at my hotel can satisi
you. | should like TO go there to get ~.
grip and decent sui. of clothes. IL wa
better dressed my story would SOUND riof
| likely" - l.