The herald., 1915-07-29
BURGLAR BEN COOSTS
BY WALTER J. DELANEY.

but I'm your friend for what you've
done Tor me. and ! say it's a shame
to see a man of your talent throw up
the chance of a lifetime
Why. I've demonstrated some abiI-
ity as lawyer. haven't l." challenged
Adrian Wilton in his smiling. con
tented way.
Il should say So" cried his client
enthusiastically. The papers have
been full of IT, Rising young criminal
lawyer OF the day, All you've got to
&c is to take a big Office here in the
city and the clients will flock to you.
That's your line Didn't you clear me,
with i've OF the best attorneys in the
city on the other side"
That was because you were inno-
cent Ben" reminded Adrian.
For once-by accident retorted
the ex-burelar With a chuckIc. Any
how, it gave me a scare and I've re-
formed square and straight"
At all events Adrian babe good-by
TO his grateful and would be helpful
client and returned to Fordham Yes,
the town had heard of his splendid
record in the city, Nellie Wade es-
pecially, who had shown the newspa-
per clippings to all her friends. The
town, however. had half score of
veteran attorneys. lock rooted in the
estimation of the people.
One morning Fordham awOke TO the
sensation of q half century. A skill
full burglar had broken into the local
bank at midnight Bills of a large de-
nomination representing $4,000 had
been taken. There was no definite
clue TO the robber or the money.
At the end OF week. however, the
county sheriff received a mysterious
tip by telegraph. Ii told him that the
telltale handkerchief bearing the
initial RI" and a false beard found
in the bank belonged to a certain Ben
jamin Rudd and named his residence.
Ii further stated that a Fordham res
taurant keeper. if confronted with the
burglar, would recognize him as a
stranger with a mysterious satchel
whom he had seen the evening of The
burglary.
Adrian Wilton lost a good deal OF
his Faith in the reformatory process
as appertainirg TO Burglar Ben. when
the next morning he was sent for by
Rudd. The latter grinned at him be-
hind strong iron bars.
Why, Ben spoke the young law
yer, you have fallen from grace, it
seems"
Not the mani" declared Rudd posi-
lively. Il hire you to defend me. Get
to work and make a record for your
self"
Burglar Ben practically directed the
case. He dictated the policy to pur-
sue. Adrian was amazed at his clear
and forcible outline of evidence When
the case came on, both his wife and
child, a golden-haired little cherub of
eight years, were in the court room.
Adrian made good use of the evil
dence st his command. He proved
that shs false beard, worn by any
body, would so obscure the natural
features that later positive identif1-
cation would be difficult. He showed
that the initiated handkerchief might
have come accidentally into the pos
session of some of Ben's former Grim.
inal associates. Then little Sura was
paced on the stand. The date at
which the bank robbery was commit
ted was her birthday. Her father was
at home, 200 miles away, when the
crime was committed.
For all this. the hard-faced farmers
Oh the. jury looked grim and preju-
diced 1t was then that Adrian came
out in full force. He depicted the
former life, the reformation of his
client. He described his changed fam
lily life. He pointed to the weeping
wife, to the innocent little child.
Oratory, eloquence, sentiment-he
swayed the audience with a master
hand. Women were weeping, strong
men looked grave and sympathetic.
The thrilling appeal moved every
heart. After five minutes deliberatioD
the jury returned its verdict
Not guilty."
That evening, at the town hotel,
Burglar Ben appeared at Adrian's
room.
Can / ever be tried again for this
burglary" he asked.
NO" answered Adrian
Then send for the president OF the
bank and the judge" he directed.
Why" began Adrian, wonder
ingly.
DO as | say. Gentlemen" spoke
sBen, as the persons in question were
summoned, Il have a confession to
make. did not rob the bank, but
directed the robbery"
Hal" glared the banker.
Yes. ! did it to put on his feet my
best friend. Mr. Wilton. | did it to
force an acknowledgment here OF his
great ability. | got an old pal to do
the job, but-there's the money, just
as it left the bank" and he handed
over a package to the astonished bank
officer.
The latter was so delighted at get
ting back his lost money that he
laughed gleefully as a child.
"A bright joke" he cried
You must be loyal friend to Mr.
Wilton to take the risk you did" re-
marked the Judge gravely. 1t was