The Washington times., 1909-07-15
CHAPTER XXXVIT.
IN THE POCKET OF THE COAT

4
" HE Federal grand jury invesugat-
ing the marine paint trust had
about completed its labOrs, and
it was practically certain that
old Vernon Corlett would be indicted.
Moreover. it was we'll known that the
Government intended 10 push the sub
sequent prosecution hard, with no mere
fine as the result in view. but a term
behind prison bars for this "malefactor
of great wealth IN the event Of a con-
viction.
Naturally. old man Corlett was feeling
decidedly uncomfortable over the pros
pect, and his feelings weren't relieved
any by the fact that his daughter
seemed TO regard the trust inyestiga-
ton as a matter of secondary impor-
tance. All her sympathy and interest
were Centered on a trivial preliminary
hearing in an ordinary criminal case,
However, since the sessions Of the
grand jury are not open 10 the public,
while a criminal hearing is. old Vernon,
uneasy and restless, and having no
place else 10 60, accompanied his daugh-
ter to the latter, although, absorbed in
his own affairs, il must be confessed he
paid small attention 10 the proceedings.
Like most everybody else. the million
aire had aS0ut made up his mind that
Graham wac certainly guilty; ana where
there are no surprises IN store, any en-
tertainment, whether II be a book, a
play, or a murder trial, has hard work
holding its audience.
OF course, there was a sO5dly crowd
present in the dingy courtroom when
he attendants beloved Hats off, and
the judge appeared upon The bench
The prominence of the parties con-
Cerned and the sensational character OF
the crime insured that: but az the eN-
~ MO
perfunctOry routine, even the news
paper reporters began 10 show signs OF
unrest.
II was bv Mordaunt's advice that the
AFFAIR was made so devoid Of thrills.
We've got TO make the other side
show its hand. my boy ne counseledI
and the way to do 10 IS &c axe LAllSs
easy and give them plenty or rope
Accordingly il was planned TO enter
no defense at this time, nor even 10
carry on any severe crosse questioning,
but rather 10 nurse the States wit
nesSeS along, and try TO decide how
they might pest be attacked When inc
real trial came Of
The testimony relating 10 the man
who had left Central PARK with a
pOrtmanteau in his hand ana taken an
Eighth avenue car south, was even aC-
mitted without comment or Objection,
end four witnesses allowed 70 swear
that II Graham was not the person IN
question he certainly favored MN TO
a remarkable degree.
The crowd in attendance felt itself
cheated BY this tame and spirltlesS eX-
hibition, and began 10 murmur almost
audibly.
what is Graham's lawyer about p
the whisperings ran from me 10 an
other. Did he intend to let his man
20 to the electric chair without even
raising a finger TO save hlm2
The result was a foregone conclusion
10 be sure: but nevertheless there was
a general feeling that Graham's at
torney was making but a poor showing.
Perhaps some echo of this reached
Mordaunt's ears. Perhaps II was only
that he had got tired of the minor
part he was playing.
At auv rate, he sailed into the next
witness in a manner that meant bust
ness. although the poor fellows testl-
mony was of the most minor import
ance.
II was one of the detectives who
had placed Robert under arrest, and
Mordaunt fairly covered him with ridi-
cule as he made him describe the tor
tuous route followed in chase Of the
suspect.
Never occurred to you that the place