the red seal-第1章

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The　Red　Seal

by　Natalie　Sumner　Lincoln






CHAPTER　I

IN　THE　POLICE　COURT

Te　Assistant　District　Attorney　glanced　down　at　the　papers　in　his　hand　and　then　up　at　the　well…dressed；　stockily　built　man　occupying　the　witness　stand。　　His　manner　was　conciliatory。

〃According　to　your　testimony；　Mr。　Clymer；　the　prisoner；　John　Sylvester；　was　honest　and　reliable；　and　faithfully　performed　his　duties　as　confidential　clerk；〃　he　stated。　　〃Just　when　was　Sylvester　in　your　employ？〃

〃Sylvester　was　never　in　my　employ；〃　corrected　Benjamin　Augustus　Clymer。　　　The　president　of　the　Metropolis　Trust　Company　was　noted　for　his　precision　of　speech。　　〃During　the　winter　of　1918　I　shared　an　apartment　with　Judge　James　Hildebrand；　who　employed　Sylvester。〃

〃Was　Sylvester　addicted　to　drink？〃　　　〃No。〃

〃Was　he　quarrelsome？〃

〃No。〃

〃Was　Sylvester　married　at　that　date？〃

At　the　question　a　faint　smile　touched　the　corners　of　Clymer's　clean　shaven　mouth　and　his　eyes　traveled　involuntarily　toward　the　over…dressed　female　whose　charge　of　assault　and　battery　against　her　husband　had　brought　Clymer　to　the　police　court　as　a　〃character〃　witness　in　Sylvester's　behalf。

〃Sylvester　left　Judge　Hildebrand　to　get　married；〃　he　explained。　〃He　was　a　model　clerk；　honest；　sober；　and　industrious。〃

〃That　is　all；　Mr。　Clymer。〃　　The　Assistant　District　Attorney　spoke　in　some　haste。　　〃You　may　retire；　sir；〃　and；　as　Clymer　turned　to　vacate　the　witness　box；　he　addressed　the　presiding　judge。

Clymer　did　not　catch　his　remarks　as；　on　stepping　down；　he　was　button…holed　by　a　man　whose　entrance　had　occurred　a　few　minutes　before　through　the　swing　door　which　gave　exit　from　the　space　reserved　for　witnesses　and　lawyers　into　the　body　of　the　court　room。

〃Sit　over　here　a　second；〃　the　newcomer　said　in　an　undertone；　indicating　the　long　bench　under　the　window。　　〃Has　Miss　McIntyre　been　here？〃

〃Miss　McIntyre　…　here？〃　Clymer　stared　in　amazement　at　his　questioner。　〃No；　certainly　not。〃

〃Don't　be　so　positive；〃　retorted　the　lawyer　heatedly；　his　color　rising　at　the　other's　incredulous　tone。　　〃Helen　McIntyre　telephoned　me　to　meet　her；　and　…　by　Jove；　here　she　comes；〃　as　a　slight　stir　at　the　back　of　the　court　room　caused　him　to　glance　in　that　direction。

A　gray…haired　patrolman；　cap　in　hand；　was　in　the　lead　of　the　small　procession　which　filed　up　the　aisle；　and　Clymer　gazed　in　astonishment　at　Helen　McIntyre　and　her　twin　sister；　Barbara。　　What　had　brought　them　at　that　hour　to　the　police　court？

The　court　room　was　filled　with　men；　both　white　and　black；　while　a　dozen　or　more　slatternly　negro　women　were　seated　here　and　there。　The　Assistant　District　Attorney's　plea　for　a　postponement　of　the　Sylvester　case　on　the　ground　of　the　absence　of　an　important　witness　and　the　granting　of　his　plea　was　entirely　lost　on　the　majority　of　those　in　the　court　room；　their　attention　being　wholly　centered　on　Helen　McIntyre　and　Barbara；　whose　bearing　and　clothes　spoke　of　a　fashionable　and　prosperous　world　to　which　nearly　all　present　were　utterly　foreign。

Barbara；　sensitive　to　the　concentrated　regard　which　their　entrance　had　attracted；　drew　closer　to　Dr。　Amos　Stone；　their　family　physician；　who　had　accompanied　them　at　her　particular　request。　　Except　for　Mrs。　Sylvester；　she　and　her　sister　were　the　only　white　women　in　the　room。

Before　they　could　take　the　seats　to　which　they　had　been　ushered；　the　clerk's　stentorian　tones　sent　the　girls'　names　echoing　down　the　court　room　and　Barbara；　much　perturbed；　found　herself　standing　with　Helen　before　the　clerk's　desk。　　There　was　a　moment's　wait　and　the　deputy　marshal；　who　had　motioned　to　one　of　the　prisoners　sitting　in　the　〃cage〃　to　step　outside；　emphasized　his　order　with　a　muttered　imprecation　to　hurry。　　A　slouching　figure　finally　shambled　past　him　and　stopped　some　little　distance　from　the　group　in　front　of　the　Judge's　bench。

〃House…breaking；〃　announced　the　clerk。　　〃Charge　brought　by　…〃　　He　looked　up　at　the　two　girls。

〃Miss　Helen　McIntyre；〃　answered　one　of　the　twins　composedly。　〃Daughter　of　Colonel　Charles　McIntyre　of　this　city。〃

〃Charge　brought　by　Miss　Helen　McIntyre；〃　continued　the　clerk；　〃against　…〃　and　his　pointed　finger　indicated　the　seedy　looking　man　slouching　before　them。

〃Smith；〃　said　the　latter；　and　his　husky　voice　was　barely　audible。

〃Smith；〃　repeated　the　clerk。　　〃First　name　…？〃

〃John；〃　was　the　answer；　given　after　a　slight　pause。

〃John　Smith；　you　are　charged　by　Miss　Helen　McIntyre　with　house…breaking。　　What　say　you　…　guilty　or　not　guilty？〃

The　man　shifted　his　weight　from　one　foot　to　the　other　and　shot　an　uneasy　look　about　him。

〃Not　guilty；〃　he　responded。

At　that　instant　Helen　caught　sight　of　Benjamin　Clymer　and　his　companion；　Philip　Rochester；　and　her　pale　cheeks　flushed　faintly　at　the　lawyer's　approach。　　He　had　time　but　for　a　hasty　handshake　before　the　clerk　administered　the　oath　to　the　prisoner　and　the　witnesses　in　the　case。

Rochester　walked　back　and　resumed　his　seat　by　Clymer。　　Propping　himself　in　the　corner　made　by　the　bench　and　the　cage；　inside　of　which　sat　the　prisoners；　he　opened　his　right　hand　and　unfolded　a　small　paper。　　He　read　the　brief　penciled　message　it　contained　not　once　but　a　dozen　times。　　Folding　the　paper　into　minute　dimensions　he　tucked　it　carefully　inside　his　vest　pocket　and　glanced　sideways　at　Clymer。　　The　banker　hardly　noticed　his　uneasy　movements　as　he　sat　regarding　Helen　McIntyre　standing　in　the　witness　box。　　Although　paler　than　usual；　the　girl's　manner　was　quiet；　but　Clymer；　a　close　student　of　human　nature；　decided　she　was　keeping　her　composure　by　will　power　alone；　and　his　interest　grew。

The　Judge；　from　the　Bench；　was　also　regarding　the　handsome　witness　and　the　burglar　with　close　attention。　　Colonel　Charles　McIntyre；　a　wealthy　manufacturer；　had；　upon　his　retirement　from　active　business；　made　the　National　Capital　his　home；　and　his　name　had　become　a　household　word　for　philanthropy；　while　his　twin　daughters　were　both　popular　in　Washington's　gay　younger　set。　　Several　reporters　of　local　papers；　attracted　by　the　mention　of　the　McIntyre　name；　as　well　as　by　the　twins'　appearance；　watched　the　scene　with　keen　expectancy；　eager　for　early　morning　〃copy。〃

As　the　Assistant　District　Attorney　rose　to　question　Helen　McIntyre；　the　Judge　addressed　him。

〃Is　the　prisoner　represented　by　counsel？〃　he　asked。

For　reply　the　burglar　shook　his　head。　　Rising　slowly　to　his　feet；　Philip　Rochester　advanced　to　the　man's　side。

〃If　it　please　the　court；〃　he　began；　〃I　will　take　the　case　for　the　prisoner。〃

His　offer　received　a　quick　acceptance　from　the　Bench；　but　the　scowl　with　which　the　burglar　favored　him　was　not　pleasant。　　Hitching　at　his　frayed　flannel　collar；　the　man　partly　turned　his　back　on　the　lawyer　and　listened　with　a　heavy　frown　to　Helen's　quick　answers　to　the　questions　put　to　her。

〃While　waiting　for　my　sister　to　return　from　a　dance　early　this　morning；〃　she　stated；　〃I　went　downstairs　into　the　library；　and　as　I　entered　it　I　saw　a　man　slip　across　the　room　and　into　a　coat　closet。　　I　retained　enough　presence　of　mind　to　steal　across　to　the　closet　and　turn　the　key　in　the　door；　then　I　ran　to　the　window　and　fortunately　saw　Officer　O'Ryan　standing　under　the　arc　light　across　the　street。　　I　called　him　and　he　arrested　the　prisoner。〃

Her　simple　statement　evoked　a　nod　of　approval　from　the　Assistant　District　Attorney；　and　Rochester　frowned　as　he　waived　his　right　to　cross…examine　her。　　The　next　witness　was　Officer　O'Ryan；　and　his　testimony　confirmed　Helen's。

〃The　prisoner　was　standing　back　among　the　coats　in　the　closet；〃　he　said。　　〃My　automatic　against　his　ribs　brought　him　out。〃

〃Did　you　search　your　prisoner？〃　asked　Rochester；　as　he　took　the　witness。

〃Yes；　sir。

〃Find　any　concealed　weapons？〃

〃No；　sir。〃

〃A　burglar's　kit？〃

〃No；　sir。〃

〃Did　the　prisoner　make　a　statement　after　his　arrest？〃

〃No；　sir；　he　came　along　peaceably　enough；　hardly　a　word　out　of　him；〃　acknowledged　O'Ryan　regretfully。　　He　enjoyed　a　reputation　on　the　force　as　a　〃scrapper；〃　and　a　willing　prisoner　was　a　disappointment　to　his　naturally　pugnacious　disposition。

〃Did　you　search　the　house？〃

〃Sure；　and　haven't　I　been　telling　you　I　did？〃　answered　O'Ryan；　his　pride　in　his　achievement　in　arresting　a　burglar　in　so　fashionable　a　neighborhood　as　Sheridan　Circle　was　giving　place　to　resentment　at　Rochester's　manner　of　addressing　him。　　At　a　sign　from　the　lawyer；　he　left　the　witness　stand；　and　Rochester　addressed　the　Judge。

〃I　ask　the　indulgence　of　the　court　for　more　time；〃　he　commenced；　〃that　I　may　consult　my　client　and　find　if　he　desires　to　call　witnesses。〃

〃The　court　finds；〃　responded　the　Judge；　〃that　a　clear　case　of　house…breaking　has　been　proven　against　the　prisoner　by　reputable　witnesses。　　He　will　have　to　stand　trial。〃

For　the　first　time　the　prisoner　raised　his　eyes　from　contemplation　of　the　floor。

〃I　demand　trial　by　jury；〃　he　announced。

〃It　is　your　right；〃　acknowledged　the　Judge；　and　turned　to　consult　his　calendar。

Stepping　forward；　the　deputy　marshal　laid　his　hand　on　the　burglar's　shoulder。

〃Go　inside；〃　he　directed　and　held　open　the　cage　door；　which　immediately　swung　back　into　place；　and　Rochester；　following　closely　at　the　prisoner's　heels；　halted　abruptly。　　A　fit　of　coughing　shook　the　burglar　and　he　paused　by　the　iron　railing；　gasping　for　breath。

〃Water；〃　he　pleaded；　and　a　court　attendant　handed　a　cup　to　Rochester；　standing　just　outside　the　cage；　and　he　passed　it　over　the　iron　railing　to　the　burglar。　　Then　turning　on　his　heel　the　lawyer　rejoined　Clymer；　his　discontent　plainly　discernible。

〃A　clear　case　against　your　client；〃　remarked　Clymer；　reading　his　thoughts。　　〃Don't　take　the　affair　to　heart；　man；　you　did　your　best　under　difficulties。〃

Rochester　shook　his　head　gloomily。　　〃I　might　have　…　Jove！　　why　didn't　I　ask　for　bail？〃

〃Bail！〃　　The　banker　suppressed　a　chuckle　as　he　eyed　the　threadbare　suit　and　tattered　appearance　of　the　burglar；　who　had　resumed　his　seat　in　the　prisoner's　cage。　　〃Who　would　have　stood　surety　for　that　scarecrow？〃

〃I　would　have。〃　　Rochester　spoke　with　some　vehemence；　but　his　words　were　partly　drowned　by　the　violent　fit　of　coughing　which　again　shook　the　burglar；　and　before　he　could　finish　his　sentence；　Helen　McIntyre　stood　at　his　elbow。　　She　bowed　gravely　to　Clymer　who　rose　at　her　approach；　and　laid　a　persuasive　hand　on　Rochester's　sleeve。

〃Will　you　come　with　us？〃　she　asked。　　〃Barbara　and　Dr。　Stone　are　ready　to　leave。　　The　doctor　wishes　to　…〃　　As　she　spoke　she　looked　across　at　Stone；　who　stood　opposite　her　in　the　little　group。　　He　failed　to　catch　both　her　word　and　her　eye；　his　gaze；　passing　over　her　shoulder；　was　riveted　on　the　burglar。

〃Something　is　wrong；〃　he　announced　and　pushed　past　Barbara。　　〃Let　me　inside　the　cage；〃　he　directed　as　the　deputy　marshal　kept　the　gate　closed　at　his　approach。　　〃Your　prisoner　appears　ill。〃

One　glance　at　the　burglar　proved　the　truth　of　the　physician's　statement　and　the　gate　was　hastily　opened。　　Stone　bent　over　the　man；　whose　spasmodic　breathing　could　be　heard　distinctly　through　the　court　room；　then　his　gaze　shifted　to　the　other　occupants　of　the　cage。

〃The　man　must　have　air；〃　he　declared。　　〃Your　aid　here。〃　　Looking　up　his　eyes　met　Clymer's；　and　the　latter　came　swiftly　into　the　cage；　followed　by　Rochester；　and　the　deputy　marshal　slammed　the　door