Read Valerie French (1923) for Free Online Page B

dare say you've been there before. You can go there now, if you like— and be hanged. I don't care. Or you can save your bacon. Understand this. You can convict— if you like: you can impose a fine— if you like: you can all sign the record, like so many sheep— if you like. But the conviction will be quashed: the fine will never be paid: the record will have to be corrected— by so many sheep as signed it. I know what I'm talking about. You can't touch this man because the law's against you— good, sound law, laid down by men who are dead, the more's the pity. For what it's worth, I'll try to make plain what it says...'
    "He gave them those cases with a spoon, as you feed a baby. I understood every word. You couldn't miss it.
    "When he'd finished, he chucked the last book down.
    "'And now,' he said, 'sit still, and continue to sit. Or go to the Court— and be hanged.'
    "Yes, the summons was dismissed.
    "Well, you might think that was enough for one afternoon. But not at all. The show was to come.
    "You know the sort of upheaval that takes place in Court at the end of some cause célèbre ? Well, that was in full blast. Everybody was either trying to get out, or passing somebody else, or changing his place: four of the justices were on their feet: a superintendent was leaning across the table talking to the Clerk: I was half-way to the door: Plague was demanding his hat, and a constable was yelling 'Silence!' In the middle of it all, a door was flung open, and some prisoner or other was hustled into the dock. As he stepped up, he looked round, and the moment I saw him I was certain I'd seen him before. Tall, good-looking chap: a bit on the thin side, and roughly dressed: obviously unfamiliar with docks and rather worried. Now, the dock was directly between me and where counsel had been sitting, and, as I was staring at his back, wondering what he was there for and where the deuce I'd seen the fellow before, I suddenly realized that I wasn't alone in my interest. From the solicitors' table old Plague was gazing at that chap as if he'd seen an apparition . His mouth was open, and he looked like a great red fish....
    "I heard the Clerk's voice—
    "'...loitering upon enclosed premises, with intent to commit a felony. Are you guilty, or— — '
    "'I appear for the defence,' says Plague thickly. 'And I plead "Not guilty."' Then he turned to his solicitor and jerked his head at the dock. 'Take his instructions,' he said.
    "The hush that fell upon that Court was supernatural.
    "'Sensation' 's no use. I want a bigger word.
    "Look at the ingredients of this amazing stew. First, Plague's terrific personality. Hang it, the man's only got to ask somebody to pass the salt, to create a sensation. Then the neurotic condition the Court was in— thanks to Plague's conduct of the last case: ready to scream if a cow lowed. Thirdly, the appearance in the dock of an obvious gentleman. Fourthly, Plague's sudden announcement that he proposed to defend a case of whose existence— much less details— until that moment he had manifestly never dreamed.... Plague.... Plague himself.... Sir Andrew Plague....
    "So soon as I'd recovered my wits, I just slid back to my old seat and sat down tight. It's as well I was quick about it, for every one else in the building was seized with the same idea. The news must have spread like wildfire. Within one minute I'll swear you couldn't 've got an umbrella inside that room.
    "Well, Bench, police and Clerk were obviously swept off their feet. They weren't expecting this, and you can't blame them. The first thing they realized was that they must have time. They told one another so in hoarse, excited whispers— especially the superintendent. If perspiration's anything to go by, I fancy the wretched fellow felt that his hour was come. All the time the solicitor was coolly taking the prisoner's instructions, and Plague was sitting in his seat with his eyes closed.
    "Presently the chairman leaned over and,