The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1907-03-21
CHAPTER xvI.-fcontinued.)

CHAPTER xvI.-(continued.)
"One moment, Mr.. Coroner" he
said. "Mr. Chatter here is an old friend
Of mine-knew him at Oxford. I'm q
barrister, and claim the right to rep
resent Mr.. Chatter at these proceed
ings. | 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
q bow here for the gratified inspector
from Scotland Yard. | merely pro-
pose to watch the case on behalf OF
my friend, and to put such questions
as l 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.
II 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 darling 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
"Now, my dear boy" he said, with
| the same frankness as before, don't
you be foolish. Frankly, | believe
you to be innocent, but these beggars
don't; and you'll get yourself into
deuce of hole and give yourself away
\ most gloriously il you try to conduct
the case yourself. This chap from
Scotland Yard is an Assault he's vim
dictive; the coroner is In hurry, and
is dead against you. On the other
hand, have the goodness 10 consider
| my position. This is my first chance
absolutely my first I've read up the
! case day by day, and l 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 barrister
l--badgered the coroner-turned the
witnesses inside out-played Old Har-
ny 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-
mcnstrate 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 were hopelessly
confused by that rising young barris-
ter, Mr.. Andrew Banks--so much so
that, at the end of five minutes, they
were half disposed 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
question or two, old Betty turned sud
denly to that quiet figure, and stretch
ed out her hands and appealed to him,
In voice shaken by sobs.
| "For heavens sake, let me speak;
let me tell what I know" she said;
and, though she spoke In whisper.
the silence about her was so deep and
solemn that the lightest breath of that
whisper was heard. "For the sake OF
the old days, let me say what you and
I alone know-let me-my dear, my
dear!"
Unfortunately. 1t 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
rible affinity in the crime which made
II more horrible. Nor did the young
barrister improve matters; for wholly
at a loss to understand to what she
referred. he began to urge her to tell
| all she knew--even to threaten her
with dire penalties In the event of
noncompliance.
But that only made matters worse:
she cast one swift look in the direction
of Philip, and read in his face that she
must be silent; turned on the young
and ardent man of the law-and de-
fed him.
Don't you think, young man, as
you're a-goin' to open my mouth, be-
cause you amt loved this poor young
gal, as though she'd been a child O.
my own; but I swear to you, before
heaven, that the man who stands
there knew nothing of 1t, and is abso-
lutely innocent. Toby-my angel
yote for i'm, II you love mel"
Toby answered with responsive
growl, and Mrs. Siggs sat down. Nor
would the pleadings of the coroner.
xho thrnoto ~ TokoIv mr. tha auayity