fair; but the jury believed him--I could well see that.

"These men have made a fat living for nearly a generation in this
city by blackmail, bribery, and perjury. They have made a business
of ruining homes, reputations, and the lives of others. They have
directed the operations of organized bands of criminals. They are
the Fagins of the city of New York. Once the poor and defenceless
have fallen into their power, they have extorted tribute from them
and turned them into the paths of crime. Better that one of them
should be convicted than a thousand of the miserable wretches
ordinarily brought to the bar of justice!"

And in this strain he went on until he had bared Gottlieb and myself
to our very souls. When he concluded there was a ripple of applause
from the spectators that the court officers made little attempt to
subdue; and the judge began his charge, which lasted but a few
minutes. What he said was fair enough, and I had no mind to quarrel
with him, although our counsel took many exceptions. The jury
retired and my partner and I were led downstairs into the prison
pen. It was crowded with miserable creatures waiting to be tried
--negroes and Sicilians, thieves and burglars--who took keen delight
in jostling us and foretelling what long sentences we were to
receive. One negro kicked me in the shins and cursed me for being
a shyster, and when I protested to the keeper he only laughed at me.

About half an hour later an officer came to the head of the stairs
and shouted down:

"Bring up Gottlieb and Quibble!"

Our keeper unlocked the pen and, followed by the execrations of
our associates, we stumbled up the stairs and into the court-room.
Slowly we marched around to the bar, while every eye was fixed upon
us. The jury was already back in the box and standing to render
their decision. The clerk rapped for order and turned to the
foreman.

"Gentlemen of the jury, have you agreed upon a verdict?" he intoned.

"We have," answered the foreman unhesitatingly.

"How say you, do you find the defendants guilty or not guilty?"

"We find both of them guilty!" replied the foreman.

A slight shiver passed through Gottlieb's little body and for a
moment the blood sang in my ears. No man can receive a verdict of
guilty unperturbed, no matter how confidently expected. The crowd
murmured their approval and the judge rapped for silence.

"Are you ready for sentence?" asked the judge.

We nodded. It was u