keeps his eyes open and his mouth shut, so he won't
interfere. How do, doctor?"

Maloney took a position at the far end of the room, while Dr. Bernstein
introduced the captain to Mr. Jeffries.

"Yes, I know the gentleman. How do, sir?"

The banker nodded stiffly. He did not relish having to hobnob in this
way with such a vulgarian as a grafting police captain. Captain Clinton
turned to Judge Brewster.

"Now, judge, explode your bomb! But I warn you I've made up my mind."

"I've made up my mind, too," retorted the judge, "so at least we start
even."

"Yes," growled the other.

"As I stated in my letter, captain," went on the judge coolly, "I don't
want to use your own methods in this matter. I don't want to spread
reports about you, or accuse you in the papers. That's why I asked you
to come over and discuss the matter informally with me. I want to give
you a chance to change your attitude."

"Don't want any chance," growled the policeman.

"You mean," said the judge, peering at his _vis a vis_ over his
spectacles, "that you _don't want_ to change your attitude."

Captain Clinton settled himself more firmly in his chair, as if getting
ready for hostilities. Defiantly he replied:

"That's about what I mean, I suppose."

"In other words," went on Judge Brewster calmly, "you have found
this--this boy guilty and you refuse to consider evidence which may tend
to prove otherwise."

"'Tain't my business to consider evidence," snapped the chief. "That's
up to the prosecuting attorney."

"It will be," replied the lawyer sharply, "but at present it's up to
you."

"Me?" exclaimed the other in genuine surprise.

"Yes," went on Judge Brewster calmly, "you were instrumental in
obtaining a confession from him. I'm raising a question as to the truth
of that confession."

Captain Clinton showed signs of impatience. Shrugging his massive
shoulders deprecatingly, said:

"Are we going over all that? What's the use? A confession is a
confession and that settles it. I suppose the doctor has been working
his pet theory off on you and it's beginning to sprout."

"Yes," retorted the judge quickly, "it's beginning to sprout, captain!"

There was a sudden interruption caused by the entrance of the butler,
who approached his master and whispered something to him. Aloud the
judge said:

"Ask her to wait till we are ready."

The servant retired and Captain Clinton turned to the judge. With mock
deference, he said:

"S