The Winslow mail., 1924-05-30
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Malopo
By
VICTOR
ROUSSEAU
bV

% have its effect upon the jury
What seemed to interest the spectai
,Ors most was the resolute manner in
which he returned the look of De Witt,
Who, seated though he was among the
witnesses, was in reality, as all knew,
he defendant. He was represented
~ lawyer and was the central figure
n the courtroom, except, perhaps,
Judge Davis.
/ The multiplying and shifting rumors,
which had been flying through Malopo,
lad settled down to the belief that
something dramatic and sensational
was to be looked for, involving both
De Witt and Davis
The judge was seated in the gallery,
where places had been reserved for
few of the chief men of the town He
was a noticeable figure among the
other occupants, as he bent forward
from his place in the front row, look
ing down on the spectators. His keen,
judicial face was as impassive as a
mask. Opposite him, on the floor of
the courtroom, sat Judge Crawford
in Davis accustomed seat above the
/ clerk.
Crawford was a short, sandy-haired
man, jurist of reputation, with an
ancOmprOmising manner. He looked
like business, and he meant it.
Seaton was formally charged, and
the trial began with the reading of
his written confession, in which, con-
/ trary to the general expectation there
was no inculpation of De Witt. 1t was
short and plain admission of hav-
ing purchased diamonds from the boys
on the claim
Then followed the first sensation, in
the appearance Of Ned Burns, clicking
and grunting, in the box
De Wits lawyer, intervening, scored
the first point against Winton after
the physician had explained the ma
ture Of Ned's affliction.
DO you mean to say that this man
is in possession of his full senses and
capable of giving evidence?" he asked.
81 do, undoubtedly"
you admit that there is a brain
lesion?'
"Yes."
! But you are quite sure that it is
not of nature to impair his judgment
or truthfulness?'
/ II am absolutely sure"
How many cases like this have you
treated in the course of your expert
ence?"
THANK you,' said the lawyer, look
ing trlumphantly at the jury.
1t was becoming clear that De Wits
lawyer meant to allege conspiracy on
/ the part of Winton and Seaton against
the syndicate. Winton followed with
brief account of the events that had
occurred on the night of the robbery
and the evidence of two or three sub
Sidiary witnesses followed.
! When SeatOn was placed in the wit.
ness-box the excitement reached fever
pitch.
This is your own confession. writ
ten and signed by your" asked Brown
Eyes, sir"
''You make this of your own free
WILL, without monetary or other in
ducement Of any kind, and knowing
the consequences"
Yes"
'It contains the whole truth. moth
/ ing but the truth, and nothing more
than the truth?''
'It's all true" answered Seaton
There's nothing that amt true in 1t.
"Yop induced Mr.. Garreft's hHys'
with small sums of money, to bring
you the stones, and you sold them &c
the man Van Worst on a basis Of one
fourth of their carat value, you sayF
Il did,"
How much do you compute that
you paid to the boys in the form OF
bribes?"
zone hundred and twelve pounds,
nine shillings, and ninepence," re-
turned Seaton promptly.
who supplied you with this
money!"
Mr.. De Witt there"
The stir In the courtroom was fol-
lowed by intense silence.
"Your motive was to make money!
mol" shouted Seaton with sudden
energy. 1T was fear of that man whS
has bounded me for twenty years"
He leaned forward and thrust out
his hand toward De Witt, who rose 10
his feet slowly.
His lawyer pulled him down and
leaped to his feet.
Il object" he began.
Not sustained" snapped Crawford
I'm what way, and why, has Mr..
De Witt bounded your inquired Sea-
toms lawyer. Are you willing to
waive privilege and make a full state
ment to this court?"
Yes, I'll tell YOU" cried SeatOn
That's what l come back for, because
I'd rather be a dead dog on gibbet
than a jackal any longer. I'm going