Evening star., 1923-07-01

IT told Griggs that I wouldn't have
ANYTHING to do with it,"
Wilmore knew then that all was
well. Francis old air of strength
and decision had returned. His voice
was firm. his eyes were clear and
bright. His manner seemed even To
invite questioning.
II think I know why" Wilmore
said. but I should like you to-teli
me in your own words.
Francis glanced around. as though
to be sure that they were not over
heard.
Because" he replied, dropping his
voice q little but still speaking with
great distnctness. William Bull Is
a cunning and dangerous criminal
whom / should prefer to see hanged
You know that"
II know that"
"It would be a great achievement
to get him off," Wilmore persisted
The evidence is very weak In
places"
Il believe that could get him off:
was the confident reply. That is
why / will not touch the brief. |
think" Francis continued. that i
have already conveyed 1t to you in
directly. but here you are in plain
words. Andrew. I have made up my
mind that 1 will defend no man in fu-
ture unless I am convinced of his in
nocence."
That means--'
lit means practically the end of my
career at the bar" Francis admitted
II realize that absolutely. Fortu-
nately, as you know. / am not de-
pendent upon my earnings, and
have had a wonderful ten years"
This is all because of the Hilditch
affair, suppose?' ,
| Entirely"
wiImore was still a little puzsled
You seem to imagine that YOU
have something on your conscience as
regards that business" he said
boldly.
II have" was the calm reply:
Come" wilmors protested. g?
| thought. Granted that Hilditch was
a desperate criminal whom by the ex-
ercise Of your special gifts you saved
from the law. surely his tragic death
balanced that account between you
and society?
Tt might have DONE" Francis ad.
mitted. eff he had really committed
suicide"
Wilmore was genuinely startled
He looked at his companion curl
ously. :,
dence at the inquest was practically
conclusive as to that"
Francis glanced around him with
apparent Indifference but in reality
with keen and stealthy care. On
their right side was a glass division
through which the sound of their
| voices could not possibly penetrate
On their left was an empty space
and q table beyond was occupied by q
we'll known cinema magnate engaged
in testing the attractions in daily
life of a would-be film star. Never
los 70 al u
raised above a whisper.
MY evidence at the coroner's in
quest" he confided, was a subtly
concocted tissue of lies. I committed
perjury freely. That is the real rea-
SON why I've been a little on the
these few months out Of harness"
Good God" Wilmore exclaimed
setting down. untasted the glass of
brandy which he had just raised to
his lips.
Francis continued calmly, "by max
ing a clean breast of 1t to you, be-
cause from tonight I am starting
Iafresh, with new interests in my life
what will practically amount to q
new career. That is why I preferred
not to dine at the club tonight, al.
though 1 am looking forward to see.
| ing them all again. I wanted instead
| to have this conversation with you
I lied at the inquest when I said that
| the relations between Oliver Hilditcf
and his wife that night seemed per-
fectly normal lied when said
that I knew of no cause for ill-wii
between them. lied when said
, that left them on friendly terms
| I lied when said that Oliver Hill
ditch seemed depressed and nervous
lied when I said that he expressed
the deepest remorse for what he had
/
that night OF the hate which hap
pen to know existed between the
| woman and the man. have not the
faintest doubt In my mind but that
she murdered him. In my Judgment
she was perfectly justified in doing
| so."
| There followed brief but enforced
silence as some late arrivals passed
their table. The room. was well ven.
tilated but Andrew Wilmore felt sud,
denly hot and choking. A woman
one of the little group OF newcomers