The Washington herald., 1912-05-12
CHAPTER vIII.
An Awful ResponsibiIity.

ToHN HARDAWAY, although he
Il was a solicitor in a very busy
y practice. did not keep his friend
waiting for a moment. "Cone in,
Deane, old chap" he said. "Is this
business or friendship
mostly business" declared Deane.
Hardsway glanced at the clock.
Twelve minutes, precisely" he said
Fire away, there's a good fellow. You
are not going to give me the affairs Of
the incorporated Gold Mines Associa-
ton to look after. / SUPPOSED"
mot l." Deane answered. "They
need a more subtle brain than yours,
l am afraid. have come to see you
about the other affair"
The lawyer nodded. "You heard the
result?" he asked. I'VE did what we
could"
Perhaps" Deane answered. "The
only thing is that you did not do
enough. ! am perfectly convinced,
Hardaway, that that man did not go
there with the intention of numbering
Sinclair"
The evidence" Hardsway remark
ed, was exceedingly awkward"
DO you think" Deane asked, that
there is any chance of reprieve"
'As things stand at present" said
Hardaway, Il am afraid not.
Deane for the first time sat down
With frowning face, he seemed to be
engaged in a deliberate study of the
pattern of the carpet. "Hardaway," he
said finally, Il want to ask you a ques-
ton in criminal law"
The lawyer laughed dryly. mot on
your own account, | hope?
You can call it curiosity, or what
ever you like" Deane answered. The
only point is that l want you to an
swer me a question, and forget that
have ever asked it you. Your lawyer
is like your confessor, isn't he-your
lawyer and your doctor%
He should be-" Hardaway answered
gravely.
: Then here goes" Deane said. II
put case to you. l mention no names.
You can imagine, if you like, that
am writing a novel. A man is tried
for murder, and he is sentenced to be
hanged. All the time there has been
watching this case, listening to every
word of the evidence, a person who
knows quite as much of it as the pris-
oner himSelf-someone who, If II had
been possible, could have gone into the
witness box and could very likely have
induced the jury to have reduced the
charge from murder to manslaughter
Never mind the reasons which made
that man hold his tongue Consider
e. N1,.N L.. = /, hr1I
believing in his heart that it was not
possible, on the evidence which was
submitted, for the man 10 be sentenced.
As it happened, the case for the pros
ecution was worked up with almost
diabolical cleverness, and the prisoner
was found guilty-guilty of murder.
He was sentenced to be hanged. What
can this person do to save his life? The
trial is closed. II is too late for him
to offer himself as witness"
Hardaway. nodded. Il understand
he said. "The procedure is very SIM
pie. He should go to the solicitors for
the defense, and they will communicate
with the home secretary"
The case cannot be reopened:" :"
Deane asked.
MOP answered Hardawsy, with a
shake of the head. Our criminal law
has many anomalies. The only thing
that could happen in the prisoners IA
vor would be that if this favorable evil
dence were convincing enough, the
prisoner might be granted a free par
don, and the facts made known through
the press. Anything more can tell
you?"
Nothing" Deane answered, rising.
MANY thanks, old fellow. You have
told me just what l want to know"
"Six-andLeightpence, please" Hard
away remarked, holding out his hand.
Deane laughed, and shook his head.
II sha'n't pay" he declared. "You can
run il in with the other account, or I'll
stand you a dinner when and where
you please-a dinner and box at the
Alhambra, if you like"
.Hardaway smiled I'VE can't run
our Office on such clients as you," he
pressing the bell.
"You should never try to fleece your
friends" Deane said.
Referring for one moment to the
other affair" began Hsrdaway.
"Well?"
'The only real chance of a reprieve
that l can see," Hardaway continued.
is on account of the fellows health. /
believe he is really very much worse
than he appears, and fancy that if we