The Ekalaka eagle. [volume] (Ekalaka, Mont.) 1909-1920, 1915-01-08
BY FREDERICK TREVOR HILL

SAAAA jury AAAeAS wv u
the woman at ala far more desirable
end than any surprise at her trial. 1t
was Uncomfortable that Il lawyer Of his
experience would withhold Il fact vital
to his client merely for the purpose
of making Il brilliant, spectacular de-
Tense. Yet was not this what the
~housekecper had complained of in the
interview ut the farmhouse? I dis
tinctly remembered hearing her declare
that he could and should have pre-
vented the Indictment Of his client.
Was he conducting this case in the
mannc best calculated to enhance his
professional reputation regardless of
the defendants highest interest? Was
she merely Il pawn in his legal game?
Was this the reason he would not let
his client talk? Why did he want
Madeleine Mapes and Betty Field out
of the way? Was it because their pres
ence would render an acquittal too
easy. and interfere with his plan to
make capital and reputation out of a
seemingly difficult cause? No. They
both knew something about the blue
dress and possibly other matters UNI
favorable to the defendant. Perhaps
they knew who occupied Miss Emory's
room on Nov. >. Did Gilbert know it
too?
The silent question startled me into
the suspicion that he might be pur-
posely ignoring Miss E'rayne's con
nection with the case. Was he capa-
BILE Of a deliberate injustice to n
woman that he might save another
dial? The idea no Sooner required to
me than l saw it's absurdity. He had
every reason to welcome an excuse
for abandoning the Emory case, and
Barbara Frayne had equal reason for
supplying him with all the favorable
information in her possession. Why
had she not told him what she had
told me?
At first I seriously considered the adj
visibility of reporting all had heard
to the judge before the reopening of
court, but second thoughts convinced
me that such action was neither neces-
sary nor expedient. My experience in
attempting to explain matters had not
been calculated to encourage further
efforts in that direction. His honor
would probably again inquire if l had
formed any unalterable opinion as TO
the guilt or innocence of the accused.
and If l replied in the negative he
would cut ME off without another
word. Miss Frayne's message had not
convinced mr. If tho r,,;1% w ;,,ooop1,
of her friend. In all probability it had
merely given me advance information
of a point which Barstow would bring
out in due season, and if he did not l
could supply the omission at any mo-
ment by calling Miss Barbara to the
stand.
! had begun by fiercely resenting her
action in forcing her secret upon me.
but on further consideration | found
much in her loyalty to her friend, her
natural impulsiveness and the provok-
ingly mysterious tactics of the lawyers
to excuse her conduct, and l dwelt
upon this line of argument With such
effect that l ended with something like
Il keen appreciation of the confidence
reposed in me.
I moved forward more rapidly and
with Il lighter step us | reached this
point in my reflections and almost i'm
mediately bumped into a a walking
in the opposite direction.
IL beg your pardon" | began.
Its entirely my fault, Mr.. Lambert.
l was walking on the wrong side of the
road, and I'm glad you ran into me, for
you're the very person | most wanted
to see
his voice was familiar, l did not rec
ognize his face.
You do not remember me. I Sec
he remarked smilingly as he noted my
puzzled expression.
Its very dark in the lane here !
tcmporized, land, though l recognize
your voice, I'm afraid l cannot at the
moment recall YOU"
"Tllat's not at all surprising, Mr..
LAMBERT" he responded PLEASANTLY.
Pray don't apologize. I'm one of Mr..
Gilbert's assistants. and ] thought per
haps YOU might have noticed me in
court
stared closely ut the young man.
and, although it WaS too dark under
the trees to get Il good view. | thought
| should have remembered his face if
| had eve seen it before. 1t suggest
cd Il: fox with tlattcneu ears. and eyes
continually glanrin- Backward IA
crafty, timiu. unreliable face bclyiuy
the mans voice and manner, which
We're unusually agreeable.
What can | do for Mr.. Gilbcrt's as
%sistant:' ! inquired coldly, for | had
no desire to extend my acquaintance
with the gentleman.
"Nothiny for me, Mi. I.ambert,' he
responded aifably. Il am merely Mr.,
Gilbert'S messenger in the matter.
which | can explain in Il very few
words
"Pleasc do so," l replied, moving on