The Washington times., 1918-06-09

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tempt, turning to glance at the clock over
the fireplace in the judges chambers,
where they were awaiting the verdict.
"One hour and ten minutes he answered.
Does - does that mean anything to
you?" Byron questioned, hesitatingly,.
dumb appeal creeping into his eyes. d.
No" responded Strong, smiling grimly,
"except-they haven't decided you a muir
derer yet"
Byron gave convulsive shudder, and
walked nearer the lawyer, his teeth show
ing in an ugly Ieer.
Have you no conscience?" he hissed;
its my life they're qUibbing Overt"
You didn't think of that the night you
shot and killed your servant who had
served you faithfully for fifteen years"
Byron gave a terrified exclamation, and
held up a warning hand to the lawyer
-Shhh! Do you want the world to hear?"
Strong laughed and shrugged his pow
erful shoulders.
There is no one here" he said. ANY
way, the case has gone to the jury. Even
\ confession would do you no good now"
Confess - confess what?" whispered
the prisoner, gritting his teeth.
Don't bluff. Byron" replied Strong,
coldly. 1T was sheer cowardice that made
you shoot your butler" He laughed sar-
castically. You thought it was the wo-
mans husband entering the room. Guilty
conscience!"
Byron, trembling and white, staggered
across the room and eyed Strong in sullen
rage.
Look here, Byron" began Strong. in
quiet defiance. we have known one an
other for many years. We have met in
business, have been members of the same
clubs, and we have met socially. l know
you better than any man of your acquaint-
ance. woman is to you, what liquor is
to a drunkard. Since the night of the
murder" Byron shivered-"I have stud
led you carefully. Persistently you have
lied to me. 1t wasn't until the very day
of the trial that you admitted there was
another person in your rooms the night of
the shooting. And you have steadfastly
refused to tell me who that person was;
that it was a woman l know by your at
titude. You refuse to tell her name, the
one witness who could help you to win
your freedom. A jury would have to ac-
cept her testimony as evidence; there was
no one to contradict her. Yet you have not
dared to breathe the woman's name. Why?
Because you are coward, You fear her
husband, poor wretch that he is, more
than you have facing a jury to try your
life. This can be the only Interpretation
of your silence. You have relied on my
skill as a criminal lawyer, and your
wealth, to cheat both the law and the
man."
Byron, his white, set face made pitiable
by the desperate light in his eyes, clutched
at the back of a chair for support.
You've been well paid" he muttered,
uneasily. and if-the verdict is favor
able -"
He stopped abruptly.
But will il be? Will it be? VIII it be?
The horror of his position smote him again
with bitter keenness. and he sank into a
chair, burying his face in his hands. Strong
sneered sand turned his back There was
a long pause. Occasionally a football could
he heard in the corridor on the other side
of the courthouse. The stern cOuntenances
Of four deceased Supreme Court justices.
in heavy gold frames. which decorated the
paneled spaces of the anterOOm. gazed
down upon the two men with becoming
gravity. The fire in the crate burned
brighter. Fantastic shadows began shap-
ing weirdly about the furniture and heavy
draperies, as the late Autumn day drew
10 a close Neither man spoke for sew
Cral minutes.
Il have done my best" said Strong.
finally his back towards Byron, as he
gazed out OF the window on the crowded
street below. the best work of my career.
For three months l have worked night
and day to find some successful method
of defense. ! have neglected every other
client. ! have made the best fight of my
,ife for man whom know to be guilty
as the commOnest murderer. If YOU es-
cape YOU owe it TO me"
Byron rose uncertainty TO his feet and
faced his attorney. There was a new ex-
preston Of fear in his eyes which seemed
different from the fear he had already ex.
hibited.
Tiff l am freed" he whispered. I've
promised you half my wealth"
Strong, without answering. walked past
him to the swinging leather doors that
opened into the courtroom. He listened
for a moment then walked back to the
window.
Il don't want it, thank you" he replied
It's the first time in my life thai I've
ever defended a man ! knew to be guilty"
other lawyers defend guilty men every
day" Byron mumbled, nervOusly, the words
catching in his throat as he kept glancing
in the direction of the courtroom.
Yes" replied Strong. For some crime
there is a natural explanation Men