Philip ticket agent had been maneuvered into a
posture facing a dazzling sunset, and had adjusted his vision to find it
focused upon the barrel of a 45. Without suspecting the Judge of hold-up
designs, he nevertheless developed a parallel. Leaving his chair he
walked over and sat by the window. Halfway through the document, he
quietly laid it aside and returned the lawyer's studious regard.
"Have you finished?" asked Judge Enderby.
"No."
"You do not find it interesting?"
"Less interesting than your idea in giving it to me."
"What do you conceive that to have been?"
By way of reply, Banneker cited the case of Tim Lake, the robbed agent.
"I think," he added with a half smile, "that you and I will do better in
the open."
"I think so, too. Mr. Banneker, are you honest?"
"Where I came from, that would be regarded as a trouble-hunter's
question."
"I ask you to regard it as important and take it without offense."
"I don't know about that," returned Banneker gravely. "We'll see.
Honest, you say. Are you?"
"Yes."
"Then why do you begin by doubting the honesty of a stranger against
whom you know nothing?"
"Legal habit, I dare say. Fortified, in this case, by your association
with The Ledger."
"You haven't a high opinion of my paper?"
"The very highest, of its adroitness and expertness.
Pages:
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
334
335