Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-11-28
THE ACCOMPLICE
FREDERICK TREVOR HILL.
by Brothr

Copyright, 1905. by Harper & Brothers.
All rights reserved.

| at any moment by calling Miss Barbara to
| the stand.
L had begun by fiercely resenting her ac-
ton in forcing her secret upon me- but
on further considerable l found much in
her loyalty to her friend her natural i'm
puisiveness and the provokingly mysteri-
GUS tactics or the lawyers to excuse her
| conduct, and l dwelt upon this line of ar
gument with such effect that ended with
something like keen appreciation of the
confidence reposed In me-
L moved forward more rapidly and with
lighter step as reached this point in
my reflections. and almost Immediately
pumped into man walking in the oppo-
site direction.
Il beg your pardon" I began
It's entirely my fault, Mr.. Lambert was
waking on the wrong side of the road and
In glad you ran into me. for you're the
very person most wanted to see''
peered at the speaker but though his
voice was familiar L did not recognize his
face.
You do not remember me. I see." he re-
marked, smilinSly. as he noted my puzzled
expression.
ITS very dark In the lane here" tenn
ported, and though 1 recognize your voice
IN afraid l cannot at the moment recall
YOU.
That's not at all surprising, Mr.. Lam
bert. he responded, pleasantly: ''pray don't
apologize. I'm one of Mr.. Gilbert's as
sistants, and | thought perhaps you might
have noticed me In court
stared closely at the young man, and
although 1t was too dark under the trees
TO get good view thought l should have
remembered his face If l had ever seen II
before. 1t suggested a fox with fattened
ears and eyes continually glancing back
ward-a crafty. timid, unreliable face belly
ing the mans voice and manner, which
were unusually agreeable.
What can ! do for Mr.. Gilbert's as
sistant?' l inquired. coldly, for I had no
desire to extend my acquaintance with the
gentleman.
Nothing for me, Mr.. Lambert" he re-
sponded affably. II am merely Mr.. Gil
berts messenger in the matter, which l
can explain in very few words"
Please do So" l replied. moving on sug-
gestively.
THE fewer the better-eh?" he laughed.
as he fell into step beside me. Well a
word to the wise is sufficient, sir. Mr. Gil
bert thinks that perhaps you should have
been excused from the jury this morning
That is the gist Of the whole matter, MIR.
Lambert"
1 stopped and stared at the speaker, but
the sight Of his face dampened the joy I
had instinctively felt at his words.
Mr.. Gilbert thinks rather slowly" / OBJ
served. severely. Had he used his wits
this morning we would have both saved a
day"
assistant. But 1 suppose he's acting on
the principle Of better late than never
Anyway, he wants to do what Is right and
fair now If he has made any mistake up
to date"
Who is to show the prosecutor the error
of his ways?" inquired. moving on again,
at the same time wondering where | could
have heard the assistants voice
You can, Mr.. Lambert" he replied You
see, Mr. Gilbert thinks the judge ought to
J have allowed you to make q full expiana-
ton this morning, and believing you We're
not treated fairly he offers to take up the
| matter again and procure your discharge
| II the facts in any way warrant it. or
| course ne does, not MAKE this suggestion
wholly in your interest. for if there should
be any really valid reason for your resig-
nation it might give the other side a chance
to upset the verdict if We obtain one, and
then We would all have our work to do
again.
The speaker paused and 1 turned inquir-
ingly toward him, but he seemed to think
he had made himself sufficiently clear. for
he met me with a furtive glance of expec-
tation.
you will have to speak more plainly.
my friend, IL you expect mo to under
stand what is wanted" ! growled. I'm
IN no mood for guessing roadside riddles"
The messenger laughed SO frankly and
good naturedly that l almost forgot his
fox face.
'"There is nothing mysterious in my mis-
sion, Mr.. Lambert" he responded pleas
antly, land I am to blame If It sounds So
asked to be excused from further service
on the jury this morning. That is to cay,
what facts you learned Or what you heard
which In your opinion disqualified you.
With this information Mr.. Gilbert viii
know whether or not there is any chance
OF obtaining your release. and II there is
he will take the necessary steps at once
II not. there Is no harm done and you
can treat each Others communication az
conndenttal ana let the matter drop. OF
personally Mr.. Gilbert wculd mssch prefer