The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1916-01-20
CHAPTER XIII.
FRANCISCO SILVA.

1t was not quite 10 o'clock when
Godfrey and I turned in at the gates
of Elmhurst, next morning, and made
our way up the drive to the house, but
in the library we found a considerable
company already assembled. Gold
berger was there, with Freylinghuisen
his physician, his clerk. his stenog-
rapher, and the men who were to con-
stitute the jury; Simmonds was there,
and with him was an alert little man
in glasses, who, Godfrey told me in
an aside, was Sylvester, the head OF
the Identification bureau, and the
greatest expert on fingerprints in
America. The district attorney had
sent up an assistant, also with a
stenographer, and altogether the room
was decidedly crowded.
1t became impossible a moment later.
when q string of automobiles puffed
up the drive and disgorded a mob Of
reporters and photographers. AS many
as the room would hold pushed into 1t,
and the others stood outside in the
drive and complained loudly. The
complaints Of the photographers were
especially varied and forceful. Gold
berger looked around him in despair,
mopping his face angirly, for the
crowded room was very hot.
you fellows will have to get out Of
here" he said to the reporters. There's
no room. I'll give you a transcript Of
the proceedings after they're over"
The protests redoubled. How were
they to get any human interest out Of
a transcript? Besides, there were the
photographers. What did he expect
them to do-photograph the transcript?
And finally, the law required that the
hearing be public, so they had right
to be present. 1t was a tense mo-
ment, the more so since Goldberger
was by no means insensible Of the
value Of newspaper popularity to a
man in public life.
why not go out on the lawn?' God
frey suggested. TITS only question OF
moving some chairs and tables, and the
boys will all lend hand"
The boys applauded, almost forgiv-
ing Godfrey his scoop, protested their
entire willingness to lend two hands II
necessary, and, when Goldberger nod
ded his approval. fell to work with a
will The lower floor of the house was
denuded, the garden seats pressed into
service, and at the end OF five minutes,
the court was established amid the
circle Of trees, the reporters had their
coats off and their pipes lighted, the
photographers ditto and their cameras
placed Good humor was restored:
peace reigned, and Goldberger smiled
again. for he knew that the adjecttves
with which the reporters would qualify
his name would be complimentary
ones!
He took his place, raped for order,
and instructed his clerk to swear the
fury. Nobody paid much attention to
the fury, for it was a recognized device
for paying small political debts, and its
verdict was usually in strict accord
with the wishes of the presiding Off
Ger. Then Goldberger looked at the
vacant chair which l had kept beside
me.
by the way, Mr.. Lester" he said.
II don't see Mr.. Swain"
He had to go back to the city last
night" I explained, ito get some fresh
clothes. He had an errand or two to
do this morning, andmayhavebee e
do this morning, and may have been
detained. left word at the house for
him to come over here at once.
You seem to have q good deal ~