The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1912-05-17

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 a |
letter in which Underwood declared |
his intention of shooting himself, |
doubt was no longer possible. Acquit |
tai was a foregone conclusion. So |
pleased was the judge at Annie's find |
that he did not insist on knowing the |
woman's name. He saw that Annie |
preferred. for some reason, not to give
it-eyen to her legal adyiser-and he
let her have her way, exacting only
that the woman should be produced
the instant he needed her. The young
woman readily assented. OF course,
there remained the confession" but
that had been obtained unfairly, II.
legally. fraudulently The next impor,
tant step was to arrange a meeting at
the judges house at which DR.. Bern,
stein. the hypnotic expert, would be
present and to which should be invi
ted both Capt. Clinton and Towards
father. In front of all these witnesses
the Judge would accuse the police cap
tain OF browbeating his prisoner into
making an untrue confession. Per
haps the captain could be argued into
admitting the possibility of mistake
having been made. If, further, he coult
| be convinced of the existence of doc
umentary evidence showing that I'm
derwood really committed suicide he
might be willing to recede from his
| position in order to protect himself
At any rate 1t was worth trying. The
| judge insisted, also, that to this meet
ing the mysterious woman witness
should also come, to be produced al
| such a moment as the lawyer might
consider opportune. Annie merely de
manded few hours time so she could
make the appointment and soon re
turned with a solemn promise thai
the woman would attend the meet
ing and come forward at whatever
moment called upon.
Three evenings later there was an
impressive gathering at Judge Brew.
ster's residence. In the handsomely
appointed library on the second floor
were seated DIR. Bernstein, Mr.. JEFF
fries and the judge. Each was alb
sorbed in his own thoughts. DR.. Bern
stein was putting at big black cigar;
the banker stared vacantly into space
The Judge, at his desk, examined some
legal papers. Not a word was spo-
ken. They seemed to be waiting for
Il fourth man who had not yet ar.
rived. Presently Judge Brewster
looked up and said:
4 Gentlemen, | expect Capt. Clinton
in a few minutes, and the matter will
be placed before you"
Mr. Jeffries frowned 1t was great.
ly against his wish that he had been
dragged to this conference. Peevish,
ly, he said:
I've no wish to be present at the
meeting You know that and yet
you sent for me"
Judge Brewster looked up at him
quickly and said quietly yet de
cisively.
Mr. Jeffries, it is absolutely nee
essary that you be present when
tell Capt. Clinton that he has either
willfuIly or ignorantly forced your son
to confess to having committed a
crime of which / am persuaded he is
absolutely innocent"
The banker shrugged his shoulders
IF | can be of service, of course
II am only too glad-but what can
| say--what can | do?"
Nothing" replied the judge CURLY
But the moral effect of your presence
is invaluable" More amiably he went
Oh: believe me, Jeffries, wouldn't
have taken this step unless | was alb
solutely sure of my position. | have
been informed that Underwood com
mitted suicide, and tonight evidence
confirming this statement is to be
placed in my hands. The woman who
paid him that mysterious visit just
before his death has promised to come
here and tell US what she knows. Now
If Capt. Clinton can be got to admit
the possibility of his being mistaken
it means that your son will be free
in few days"
Who has given. you this informa
tom" demanded the banker skeptic
ally.
Towards wife," answered the
judge quietly. The banker started and
the lawyer went on: She knows who
the woman is. and has promised tc
bring her here tonight with docu
mentary proof of Enderwcod's sui
eide"
You are depending on herr" he
sneered
why not?" demanded the Judge
She has more at stake than any Of
us. She has worked day and night
on this case 1t was she who aroused
DR.. Bernstein's interest and persuad
ed him to collect the evidence against
Capt Clinton"
The banker frowned.
She is the cause OF the whole mis-
cradle business" he growled.
The door opened and the butler. en-
tering. handed his master a card.
All" calculated the Judge Here's
our man! Show him up"