Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1907-03-21
CHAPTER .xvl.-{continued.)

1
barrister, and claim the right to rep
resent Mr.. Chatter at these proceed
ings. l should like to point out to you,
Mr.. Coroner" still with the same en-
gaging frankness and the same CHEEKY
smile, 'that my friend is placed in a
very awkward position, and has
against him, in charge Of the case. a
very able representative of the law"
bow here for the gratiied inspector
from Scotland Yard. l merely pro-
pose to watch the case on behalf OF
my friend, and to put such questions
as may deem necessary, and as you,
Mr.. Coroner, may see fit, in the exer-
else of wise discretion, to allow"
Here the young gentleman bowed all
round again, with another CHEEKY
smile, and sat down near the coroner,
after having made a decidedly good
impression.
Philip Chatter broke the silence
which seemed to hang SO heavily
about him, and addressed the coroner.
81 am greatly obliged he said, for
my friends kindly offer; but would
rather decline it. Whatever case
there is against me must go on its
merits; desire nothing more"
Before the coroner or any one else
could speak the young gentleman
came darting out of his chair and had
Philip by the buttonhole, drawing him
aside a little, and impressing his
points upon him in an eager whisper.
Nov, my dear boy" he said, with
the same frankness as before, don't
you be foolish. Frankly, believe
you to be innocent, hut these beggars
don't; and you'll get yourself into a
deuce of hole and give yourself away
most gloriously If you try to conduct
the case yourself. This chap from
Scotland Yard is an assault he's vim
dictiye: the coroner Is in hurry, and
is dead against you. On the other
hand, have the goodness to consider
my position. This is my first chance
absolutely my first. I've read up the
case day by day, and know it by
heart; may do you lot of good-and
shall make my own fortune. To-mor-
row morning, in all the newspapers
Andrew Banks-rising young harrister
-badgered the coroner-turned the
witnesses inside out-played Old Har-
ry with the police; don't you see?
Now, all you have to do is to sit quiet
and look virtuous; I'll lay out Mr.. Cor
oner for the benefit of the yokels in a
brace of shakes"
He was gone again, back to his place
at the table, before Philip Chatter
had even time to thank him or to re.
monstrate further; and the real bust
ness of the inquest began. In the
first place appeared the two country
men who had found the body-and
who contradicted each other in minor
points of detail, and we're hopelessly
, confused by that rising young barris-
ter, Mr.. Andrew BanMs-so much so
that, at the end of five minutes, they
, were half dssnosed to believe that the
one had committed the murder and
/, the other made an attempt to hide the
body; and so sat down, greatly con
fused.
Next came Betty Siggs-making a
/, deeper impression than she would
willingly have done against the man
who stood watching her. For, after a
| question or two, old Betty turned sud
denly to that quiet figure, and stretch
ed out her hands and appealed to him
(, In q voico Shakan nv SOhS
/ For heavens sake, let me speak;
ilet me tell what know" she said;
and, though she spoke in a whisper
/ the silence about her was SO deep and
solemn that the lightest breath Of thai
whisper was heard. For the sake Of
the old days, let me say what you and
| / alone know-let me-my dear, my
dear!"
Unfortunately, it had the very oppo
site effect to that which Betty intend
ed; for there seemed to be at once es
| tablished between these two some ter
Tribe affinity in the crime which made
1t more horrible. Nor did the young
barrister improve matters; for who'll!
at q loss to understand to what sht
referred, he began to urge her to tel
all she knew-even to threaten he
with dire penalties in the event o
noncompliance.
But that only made matters worse
she cast one swift look in the direction
of Philip, and read in his face that sh'
must be silent; turned on the youn.
and ardent man of the law-and de
4 fed him.
Don't you think, young man, a
YOU'RE a-goin' to open my mouth, be
cause you amt. loved this poor yo,ln
| gal, as though she'd been q child {
4 my own; but I swear to you, befor
lheaven, that the man who stand
4 There knew nothing Of it, and is abse
llutely innocent. Toby my angel
A vote for i'm, If you love me!
Toby answered with responsiv
growl, and Mrs. Siggs sat down. No
would the preadings Of the corone
the threats Of Tokely, Or the suayit
I of the young barrister move her: sh
}. Tread In the face from which she too
her inspiration that she must b
silent- and the rack itself would nj
- = n /, ~ ssa