Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-11-23
THE ACCOMPLICE
FREDERICK TREVOR HILL.
+ es Copyright by Harpe Bothes
reserve
TREVOR HILL.
Copyright. 1905. by Harper G Brothers.
All rights reserved.

entirely with the court. Mr.. Lambert" he
asserted, calmly "and It feels entirely
equal to the responsibility of Its decision.
cannot discuss a question of judicial au-
thority with g. iayman. You may now re-
tire. sir; but caution you to hold no COM
munication with any person respecting
anything which has passed within this
room. / will open court In a few minutes.
gentlemen"
He rose as he spoke and passed into a
rear room. leaving me standing mute with
indignation and d4smay between the op-
posing counsel.
was to do? My own rashness and folly
were responsible for my predicament. l
had hot1y asserted that / could act with
fairness and impartiality, but my answer
had been given with no thought of putting
myself to the test. Was 1t possible for me
to remain unnfluenced by Barbara
Frayne's interest in her friend?
Miss Emory had already made a favor
able impression upon me, but Ii was i'm
possible to forget that her warmest friend
had entreated me to retain my place on the
jury. The mere knowledge that something
was expected of me-that was relied upon
for help-emba rrassed me and rendered me
Incapable of showing even proper consid-
Grafton to the prisoner. I could not ex-
tend the slightest Indulgence to the accused
under the existing circumstances without
suspecting my own motives and errlng II
at ALL on the side of the prosecution In
a word, / was the most dangerous Juror
who confronted the accused. Suppose |
should be forced to render a verdict of
guilty? Could any friendship survive such
a blow? Gilbert was under a similar dis
advantage, but his position was different
He was an official charged with a public
duty and not directly responsible for the
verdict.
My thought stopped as a sudden suspicion
entered my mind and sent the hot blood
rushing to my face Gilbert was answer
able for my present predicament! He could
have obtained my release with a single
word, and he had not uttered It, He had
done more than keep silent He had urged
my retention, declaring In positive terms
that was qualified in every respect. He
kneW OF my acquaintance with Miss
Frayne, and doubtless had seen enough to
make him seize the first opportunity to
nip an fnconvenient friendship in the bud
was 1t possible, under the circumstances
for me to credit anything the man said?
Would l not fnsGnctively refute his every
argument and doubt his most convincing
proofs? Was 1t not to my interest to do
SO? If he had as strong a case as he
claimed would either have to stultify
myself In my own eyes OR agree with his
contention and bend a friendship which in
VOWED my own happiness. l was hopeless
ly trapped.
You take this thing far too seriously,
Gilbert laid his hand on my shoulder
as he spoke, but impatiently shook myself
free.
we all recognize that jury duty involves
good deal of sacrifice he Continued
calmly, "but I'm sure both sides appreciate
having man of your caliber In the box
as foreman. Moreover, you can rest assured
that Brother Barstow doesn't want me to
near what you learned about the case if
It's against him, and I certainly don't want
MN 10 hear 1t If It's against me. So every
body's satisfied"
His jesting words We're uttered with a
friendly I smile, but they grated on me, and
turned abruptly to the door.
Inc law isn't q gamer' l asserted with
marked severity, but Gilbert attempted to
turn my reproof
It's sort of a game, isn't it, Barstow?'
he inquired. with a comic expression OF
doubt. -
The defendants counsel shot an angry
glance at his opponent.
lou IL ma 1t a game that two can play
at?' ne retorted. menacingly. as he brushed
past us through the door
Go be continued tomorrow)