The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1916-07-29
Continued from page e.
BEYOND THE LAW.

0uOO0 0uO0OAAAJt SAC@I JOuA NcAA GOON-
ing in the street. Now it's the sweat
box for Biggins!"
A strained silence reigned in the
room when Manners held the por-
there's aside and higgins crossed the
threshold and hesitatingly approached
the group by the desk. He was
small man, round shouldered and
sallow, fringe of thin, grazing beard
serving to hide in part his twitching
lips. His eyes were small and pierre
ing and had in them shifting, hunted
look His frock coat was ill-fitting
and impressed.
Judge Brady stepped forward.
"'Mr. higgins, I'm glad to see you
Gentlemen, please be seated
Enright took out another cigarette
and Calderlynn frowned. The judge
cleared his throat and continued:
mr. higgins, my request for your
presence here this evening was l
admit, somewhat out of the ordinary,
and l will come to the point at once.
Here are the facts in the case. We
three are in a position to know that
this afternoon you were offered a
considerable sum of money"
"Three million in cold cash.
prompted the reporter
ITO act as scapegoat for the Funda-
mental Insurance Company
The face of. higgins showed I'M
feigned surprise.
Furthermore proceeded the judge,
1--WE know that you were promised
what amounted practically to an i'm
munity bath, formal arrest and the
consequent ill-repute being the only
inconvenience thrust upon you. And
we know that you refused the offer
Now, Mr. higgins, we want to know
lin strict confidence, of course-why
you refused"
higgins nervously rubbed his hands
His mouth opened and shut, and he
gazed anxiously about before reply
ing.
you ought to know, your honor
without asking. No man cares about
prison and disgrace"
Enright was on his feet in an in
slant.
"You had better knock off on thai
bluff" he snapped. "They promised
to keep you out of prison"
'And besides, Biggins," put in
Calderlynn, his voice booming across
the room, "a man of your stamp
doesn't mind disgrace" He walked
over to the shrinking lawyer and
shook menacing finger. when you
tell me that YOU turned down Blacks
proposition just because you object
to the humiliation or arrest, you're
lying, and you know it."
A faint fiush-the merest symbol
of his almost vanished manhood
came into higgins face.
"Mr. Calderlynn," the judge inter
posed sternly, kindly remember that
Mr.. higgins is my guest"
I'll try to, Judge Brady" Calder
lynn growled, the image of a wolf at
bay. "But I've got to remember
something else, too. I've got to re
member that at the present moment
am facing the man who for ten
years has been the disgrace of the
legal profession in this city and in
this State. I've got to remember that
this man has been mixed up in every
thing that is crooked, and that nc
decent man would shake hands with
him on a public street. I've got tC
remember that this man has done
anything and everything not a techni
cal offense. And now you expect me
to listen to his infantile explanation
and swallow it at one gulp? No
thanks!"
Words of remonstrance and OF
\ apology were on the judges lips, wher
higgins suddenly started from hi:
chair and put out trembling hand.
Judge Brady" he said in a weak
hasty tones, apologies are not neces
sary. The district attorney rubs it il
pretty hard, but in the main I guess
he's about right. know better thar
he can tell me my position in thu
legal fraternity. know that at leas
eight times came within an act o
; FORGETTING my right to practice in thi
i OCaL0. Anu hHOW tudL We UCCA
crooked"
Then, higgins" sneered the young
reporter, I'D like to know why yol
turned down Blacks offer this after
noon.'
higgins head sunk lower.
Because, young man, it woul'
necessitate my pleading guilty to
felony charge. And that's somethin,
I'll never do
"Oh, nonsense!" Calderlynn be-
lowed. "You might as well be cor
sistent. It strikes me that you'v
done heap of things a great dea
worse"
higgins turned to the judge a
though he had not heard.
"a moment ago you asked for m
motive. Well, Eli tell you my motive
. My wife!"
The three inquisitors started. Ca,
derlynn and Enright exchanged bewi
dered chances. 1t was the judge VIII
first regained composure. He say
that a sudden but apparent chang
had come over higgins. The shyste
now held his head high and his eye
almost glared. His shoulders wer
S thrown back, his hands clenched b
his sides.
"Your Wife-Margaret?' asked tn
judge, hardly conscious OF what b
was saying. Doesn't she-doesn
she know what