Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1893-09-07

L
meant her kindly, had been the unwill-
ing means Of placing her there.
L looked eagerly around the court
room. On front bench sat Mr.. For
eeps, the pawnbroker, chief witness for
the prosecution, and some distance be.
hind was my old client, true to his
promise, and pleased to have at last a
part to take i'll court. 1t seemed to him
like little rehearsal for the great drama
of his own case
The district attorney opened the case.
and was about to call me as tho first
witness. Mr. Flourish had not yet made
his appearance, Greatly to my reliet
the pawnbroker came forward and
whispered into the attorneys ear, who
Immediately called him to the stand.
81 believe | must give Mr.. Forceps the
| precedence" he said to me.
Il think you had better, Brother Row
| land, answered Flourish over my shout.
der, at the same time divesting himself
of his overcoat, and distributing good
humored though somewhat patronizing
recognitions among the smaller fry Of
! lawyers around him.
Mr.. Forceps testified to the attempt
made to pass the counterfeit coin on
! him, as previously detailed. His direct
examination was soon over, and he
| turned to Mr.. Flourish with a smile of
confidence, which to me seemed not al
| together natural. 1t looked as if he
were bracing himself up for contest of
nerve with the counsel for the defense.
But if Mr.. Forceps looked for grand
display of inquisitorial tactics he was
destined to be mistaken. Mr.. Flourish
simply turned for anoment toward him
remarking:
81 only want to know if | have under
stood you Alright, Mr.. Forceps. think
| you said this was your only transaction
with the prisoner-I mean the only oc-
casion on which you received money
from her"
Il never received any money at all
from her unless you call that thing
money pointing to the coin. perhaps
you call that money, but l don't, sir"
And Mr.. Forceps smiled approvingly at
his own retort.
"How long did understand that You
had this coin in your possession;" bland
ly rejoined the counsel.
"No time at all. knew it was bad the
minute it touched the drawer and took
it out and returned it,"
You took it out and returned it, re-
Piled Flourish, as if mechanically re-
peating the words. That will do. sir"
Mr.. Bullion then testified to the char
acter of the coin and'to the prisoners adj
mission in my Office that it was the same
one she had offered to the pawnbroker.
The prosecution rested.
Without any formal opening of the
defense Mr.. Flourish nodded to me and
| took the stand. The district attorney
threw himself back in his chair and
listened carelessly while | detailed the
particulars of my interview with Alice
on the eyentful Saturday night. But
when | mentioned the knife marks on
the coin had given her his practiced
mind foresaw at once our line Of defense.
1t was doubtless the first intimation he
had received that any substantial de-
Tense would be attempted, and III his
surprise he started to his feet and di-
rected searching glance first at me
and then in rapid succession at the
prisoner, her counsel and his own wit
nesses.
Have you ever seen that marked coin
since, Mr.. Quidam;'
II have"
when and where?"
at Is here said |, producing it, Il |
received 1t back about ten days ago from |
client, Mr.. Richard Grosvenor.
Having satisfied myself that l was
positive as to the identity Of the coin
the district attorney allowed he to stand /
aside, and Mr.. Flourish called Grosyou- !
or, who of course confirmed my state |
ment as to the receipt Of the coin from |
him at the time of its temperance
will You state, Mr., Grosvenor, if !
you can, how that coin came into your |
handsy"
Il received it," said the old mana
slight color coming into his bloodless
face-"on the evening of Saturday, the |
til Of December, from Mr.. Forceps. |
the pawnbroker"
"How can you be so positive as to the /
precise date, Mr.. Grosvenor, and the
identity Of the COIN" asked the district
attorney.
"The date, sir, fix by this" produc- /
ing one of Mr.. Forceps' tickets, land .
the coin-ah me, sir, it is the only gold
piece have had for many long day.
have spent my money in the law, sir;
but l am going to get it all back soon.
You must know have a case, sir''---
From the details Of Mr.. Grosvenors !
case we We're saved by the district at
toTney. His hawk eye had caught II
glimpse of his chief witness gliding soft
ly through the crowd toward the door
Mr.. Forceps! Mr. Forceps. Officer,
close that door and let 10 man pass" he
Numbered. Bring that witness back
herew
Flushed with excitement, his fine form
drawn up to its utmost height, and his
glorious eyes flashing with Indignation
at the foul wrong which had been at
tempted and almost effected in the sacred !
name of justice, he stood surrounded by |