对于审判结果,大家都感到异常气愤和难过。科尔比律师的眼中充溢着泪水。星期一早晨,傲慢的依西多尔正在向所有人展现他的成功,一封突如其来的电报却令他几乎晕厥。是的,奇迹发生了!究竟是怎样的奇迹,令心情跌至谷底的大家突然沉浸在难以言说的欢乐之中呢?
Of course not one of our friends agreed with the judge.Indignation and resentment were written on every face—except that of Goldstein.The manager rubbed his hands softly together and,approaching Maud,he whispered:
"You needn't speak to Jones about me.It's all right.I guess he won't be interfering with me any more,eh ?And come early to—morrow morning.We've got a lot of rehearsing to do.To—day I will call a holiday for you.And,believe me,Miss Stanton,this is nothing to worry any of us.The judge settles it,right or wrong,for the law de?es us all."As the manager hurried away Uncle John looked after him and said:
"I wonder if he realizes how true his words are ?'The law defies us all.'How helpless we are to oppose injustice and oppression when one man,with a man's limitations and prejudices,is clothed with authority to condemn us!"Colby stood silent.The poor fellow's eyes were full of unsheda tears.
"This is my ?rst case,and my last,"said he."I won ithonestly.It was the judge,not the evidence,that defeated me.I'm going to rent my of?ce and apply for a job as a chauffeurb."Jones was the least affected of the group."Never mind,friends,"he said to them,"it will all come right in the end.If you will stand by me,Colby,I'll retain you to plead my case in the Austrian court,or at least advise my Austrian lawyers.I'vean idea they will treat me fairly,over there in Vienna.""It's outrageous !"quoth indignant Patsy Doyle."I'd like to give that judge a piece of my mind.""If you did,"replied Arthur,"he'd ?ne you for contempt.""It would be a just line,in that case,"said Patsy;"so I'm sure he wouldn't do it."The jailer had come to take the prisoner back to his cell.He smiled whimsically at Miss Doyle's speech and remarked:"There's always one side to kick,Miss,whichever waythe judge decides.It was only Solomon who could satisfy everybody.""Clear the room !"shouted the bailiff a.
Captain Carg's men took the empty chest back to the launch.The captain followed them,after pressing the hand of his young master,who said:"Wait for orders,Captain."Uncle John took his flock back to the hotel,where they gathered in his room and held an indignation meeting.Here it was safe to give full vent to their chagrin and disappointment.
"Every bit of honest evidence was on our side,"declared Maud."I shall never be able to understand why we lost.""Bribery and corruption,"said Flo."I'll bet a cookie LeDrieux divided the reward with the judge.""I suppose it's all up with Ajo now,"sighed Beth,regretfully.
"Yes,"replied Colby,who had accompanied them;"there is nothing more to be done for him at present.From the judge's order there is no appeal,in such a case.Mr.Jones must go to Vienna for trial;but there he may secure an acquittal.""He is very brave,I think,"said Patsy."This affair must have hurt his pride,but he smiles through it all.In his condition of health,the confinementa and humiliation may well shorten his life,yet he has made no murmur.""He's good stuff,that boy,"commented Uncle John."Perhaps it is due to that John Paul blood his father was so proud of."When Arthur went into the lobby a little later he found Le Drieux seated comfortably and smoking a long cigar.The pearl expert nodded to the young ranchmanb with so much evident satisfaction that Arthur could not resist engaging him in conversation.
"Well,you won,"he remarked,taking a vacant chairbeside Le Drieux.