The Point Pleasant register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, W. Va.) 1909-1939, 1910-07-06
CHAPTER XVI.

CHAP IEh Avn.
The news that Judge Brewster
would appear for the defendant at the
approaching trial OF Howard Jefries
went through the town Ike wIldare,
and caused an immediate revival In
the public interest, which was begin
ming to slacken for want Of hourly
stimulation. Rumor said that there
had been a complete reconciliation in
the Jetfries family. that the banker
was now convinced OF his sons limo
cence, and was determined to spend
fortune. II necessary. to save him.
This and other reports OF similar
nature we're all untrue. but the Judge
let them pass without contradiction.
They were harmless. he chuckled. and
II anything. helped Towards cause.
Meantime he himself had not been
Idle. When once he made up his
mind 10 do q thing be was not con-
tent with half measures. Night and
day he worked on the case, preparing
evidence, seeing witnesses and ex-
perts, until he had gradually built
up a bulwark OF defense which the
police would md difficult to tear
down. Yet he was not wholly reas-
sured as to the outcome until Annie.
the day following the interview in his
Office. informed him breathlessly that
she had found the mysterious woman.
The Judge was duly elated: now II
was plain sailing. indeed! There had
always been the possibility that How.
ards confession TO the police was
true. that he had really killed Under
wood. But now they had found the
one important witness. the mysteri
GUS woman who was in the apart
ment few minutes before the shoot
ing and who was in possession OF :
letter in which Underwood declared
his intention of shooting himself
doubt was no longer possible. AcQuit
tai was a foregone conclusion. ST
pleased was the judge at Annie's fint
that he did not insist on knowing hi
wowan's name. He saw that Ami
r preferred. Tor some reason, not 10 CIV
it-even to her legal adyiser-and b
. let her have her way. exacting onl
. that the woman should be produce
q the instant he needed her. The youn
; woman readily sssented. OF cours'
there remained the confession" bl
that had been obtained unfairly.
!. legally, fraudulently. The next impo
/ tant step was TO arrange a meeting I
the judges house at which DR.. BerI
!. stein. the hypnotic expert, would /
present and to which should be inv
r ted both Capt. Clinton and Howard
. father. In front Of all these witness,
+ the Judge would accuse the police ca
" tain OF browbeating his prisoner In
# making an untrue confession. Pc
haps the captain could be argued in
10 admitting the possibility Of mistal
.e having been made. II. further. he eou
a be convinced OF the existence Of dc
umentary evidence showing that U
I derwood really committed suicide
~ might be willing to recede from /
,e position In order TO protect himse
n. At any rate 1t was worth trying. T
Judge insisted. also. that 10 this me
n. ing the mysterious woman witne
should also come. to be produced
I'd such moment as the lawyer mig
consider opportune. Annie merely
We manded few hours time so she COZ
make the appointment and soon
ne turned with a solemn promise Il
" the woman would attend the me
Or ing and come forward at whate'
moment called upon.
Three evenings later there was
,st impressive gathering at Judge Br'
he ster's residence. In the handsom
lar appointed library on the second A,
We were seated DR.. Bernstein. Mr..
or fries and the Judge Each was
nm. sorbed in HIS own thoughts. Dr.. Be
IN stein was pulling at big black Gig
the banker stared yacantly into spa
The judge. at his desk. examined SO
q, legal papers. Not a word was s