know, but then I'm going
to be different from most prosecuting attorneys."

"There isn't the least doubt of that," interposed Anne slyly.

"Silence," commanded Grace severely. "I shall have you arrested for
contempt of court. Then there won't be any counsel for the defense. The
first witness, that's you, Arline, will please take the stand. You
needn't really move, you know. We will take a few things for granted.
Sit up straight and be as dignified as possible. Fold your hands on the
table. That's right. Now, state where and when you first met the
defendant. Ruth can be the defendant until I question her. Then you'll
have to play the part."

"Over a year ago, at Morton House," stated Arline obediently.

"What was your opinion of the defendant?"

"I liked her better than any other girl I had ever met," confessed
Arline.

"Defendant number two, what did you think of Arline Thayer?" quizzed
Grace, eyeing Ruth expectantly.

"I liked her as much as she liked me," replied Ruth promptly.

"When did your first disagreement occur?" probed Grace, turning from
Ruth to Arline.

"Here, at this very table," returned Arline in a low tone.

"Whose fault was it?" inquired Grace wickedly.

"Mine!" exclaimed Ruth and Arline simultaneously.

"Thank you," returned Grace soberly. "Such spontaneity on the part of
the defendants is very refreshing. It also simplifies the case and saves
the court considerable trouble. There is hope that the court will be
dismissed in time for dinner. As prosecuting attorney I will now deliver
my charge. I shall have to deliver it sitting down or attract too much
attention to the case. Gentlemen of the jury, you have heard the
evidence. You think, no doubt, that murder has been done. This is not
so. The friendship between Defendant Number One," Grace bowed to Arline,
"and Defendant Number Two," she made a second bow to Ruth, "received a
blow on the head which rendered it unconscious for some time. It had no
intention of dying, but both prisoners treated it with extreme cruelty,
not allowing it to hold up its poor crippled head. I ask you, Gentlemen
of the jury, to consider well what shall be the penalty for assaulting
and battering friendship with intent to kill. Gentlemen of the jury, are
you ready for the question?"

"We are," Grace answered for the jury in a deep voice that elicited
little shrieks of laughter from her companions.

"What shall be the fate of these malefactors?" demanded Grace i