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 buttonholed
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.