The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-12-30
CHAPTER X
The Examination.

~ he preliminary judge, whose
duty it was 20 fix the response
biIity OF the murder OF BOule-
ward LANES, was a little man
with a plump figure and kind little eyes
that danced mischievousIy behind pair
OF spectacles. de was anything but the
gauEt, thin-lipped, menscIng person that
nOveiists would have us believe He was
by no means hostile to the prisoner, al
though thu popular fancy pictured him
as biased, leering person, whose only
purpose was 10 clap a man IN jail on
the ffmsiest evidence.
Barton was politely requested to be
seated The judge fUmbled among a
stack OF papers, casually surveying the
prisoner as he did So Barton was mani
testify III at ease He drummed on the
brim Of his hat nerveusly- A man may
dissembIe and conceal the working OF
his mind; he may lie with his eyes, his
face may remain uncOmmunlcatlVely
impaSsive. he may even restrain the
flush Of shame that threatens 10 mantle
his cheeks. but his hands he cannot
control. His hands are not altogether
his own they are subject 70 ms Will
They may be intelligent, foolish. ca5oI-
ing or brutal They are traitors that
cannot be shaken of
The Judge never removed his eyes
from BARTON LaIuc- ~ AEl 4At saw
them twitch he knew that the time 20
strike had come. When he saw the
fingers CiawiRS he raised MS head and
began his examination
The usual formal questions were put
What was Barton's name2 his address,
His age2 His profession? Papers were
then glanced through cursorllys while
Barton nervoUsly clutched his knees
Then without any preamble, the Judge
proceeded - question Barton on the
win you kindly explain 10 me why
YOU suddenly left your lodgings and
how il happened that you were located
after three days in hotel on Avenue
d'Orleans-
parton had expected totally different
question stu, ne was NOT takeh OF
his guard n a voice that was not so
steady as he wished II 20 be, ne in
ouired- BY way Of answer
VIII You please tel me WY nave
been arrested and why 7 am brought
lyon are brought here because you
murdered II Forget 81 % Boulevard
Barton breathed freely Now he was
absolutely sure that ne would not be
accused OF another crime and that al
his ridiculous, unreasonable fears were
groundless He replied with an aston
fsbment that he had decided 70 AFFECT
when he flrst formulated his plan;
This Is an Outrage-
After a second o. assumed silent n
dignation, ne added
From what you say, 7 gather that I
am not simply accused OF a CRIME ouI
that I am convicted OF 1t
Its a pleasure TO talk TO an intelligent
man replied the judge with polite
IRONY. You have a lawyers apprecia-
ton Of the meaning Of words
You natter me. But may answer IN
the same spirit. I may mOdesJly point
ont tHet I cannot consider myself guilty
OF a crime that did not commit
ct viii withdraw my statement and
ask instead Are you guilty or innOcentE
If YOU can prove youTSeiI innocent
-rf1i set You free Immediately
Rarton had no desire for Instant re-
lease. That would certainly De q PAD
beginning for a sensational aTucle on
tbe bafr-raiSiug Injustice and cruelty OF
fbe law Carefully Weighing MS words,
he retOTted-
TT seems 10 me that It is necessary
for US 70 change places, The law Goes
r7O+ compel me to prove my innocence.
547f /. coupels YOU to prove my guilt
Admitting that fndisputable legal Eact'
7 viii answer any question that you
NAV ask, provided that II VIII not IN
criruiuate or degrade me OF Involve the
honor Of a third person
IN other words you VIII tell me nJIle
as Won choose, and particularly on the
subject Of this capital oIIense
81 have made no such statement
am merely insisting on my T1EnIs- i
have not refused 10 answer al Dues
tSous. and you are not JusJlneu II Qis-
tortinC my answer, because on ma
evident intention. ] decline to answer
any questions at al WITHOUT the pres
ence Of counsel
ss7Tou stand within your legal rights
Have vou selected an attorney 10 &c
fend vou2 If not the examination VIII
be postponed -. $4,000
Il Won will send an official downstairs
md Instruct him 70 bring with him the
GrSt attorney he may see, / snail oe
cutie content. The law sanctions TINS
fcrmaIity, and my respect Tor the law
= IN n a few minutes the official returned,
accompanied by young man
81 thank YOU for your willingness to
serve me said Barton 10 his hastily
fIed quickly enough, and you VIII not
Ire Compelled 70 defend me too strenu-
ouslv. am now ready TO answer cues
lions" -.,-
Won suddenly leave your lodgings. and
how did II happen that YOU We're found
in a hotel oB Avenue d'Oleans2"
II left my lodgings because It pleased
me 70 i've somewhere else for a time
7 rsssed the night in the Avenue dor
TO It and because It was too late to 80
anywhere else
where did you come from2''
II am sure I don't know
I will tell you You came from
vo51r own rooms. 16 Rue de Douai"
seWhst2' Barton was staggered.
From your own rooms, I say. where
Won changed your linen and where you
searched for q sleeve link in an even
fuE shirt because its loss might com
promise you You did not find that
sleeve link. 1t is here, in my hand
Do you recognize IT
"Yes, answered Barton. frightened