iron railing, gasping for breath.

"Water," he pleaded, and a court attendant handed a cup to Rochester,
standing just outside the cage, and he passed it over the iron railing
to the burglar. Then turning on his heel the lawyer rejoined Clymer, his
discontent plainly discernible.

"A clear case against your client," remarked Clymer, reading his
thoughts. "Don't take the affair to heart, man; you did your best under
difficulties."

Rochester shook his head gloomily. "I might have--Jove! why didn't I ask
for bail?"

"Bail!" The banker suppressed a chuckle as he eyed the threadbare suit
and tattered appearance of the burglar, who had resumed his seat in the
prisoner's cage. "Who would have stood surety for that scarecrow?"

"I would have." Rochester spoke with some vehemence, but his words were
partly drowned by the violent fit of coughing which again shook the
burglar, and before he could finish his sentence, Helen McIntyre stood
at his elbow. She bowed gravely to Clymer who rose at her approach, and
laid a persuasive hand on Rochester's sleeve.

"Will you come with us?" she asked. "Barbara and Dr. Stone are ready to
leave. The doctor wishes to--" As she spoke she looked across at Stone,
who stood opposite her in the little group. He failed to catch both her
word and her eye, his gaze, passing over her shoulder, was riveted on
the burglar.

"Something is wrong," he announced and pushed past Barbara. "Let me
inside the cage," he directed as the deputy marshal kept the gate closed
at his approach. "Your prisoner appears ill."

One glance at the burglar proved the truth of the physician's statement
and the gate was hastily opened. Stone bent over the man, whose
spasmodic breathing could be heard distinctly through the court room,
then his gaze shifted to the other occupants of the cage.

"The man must have air," he declared. "Your aid here." Looking up his
eyes met Clymer's, and the latter came swiftly into the cage, followed
by Rochester, and the deputy marshal slammed the door shut behind them.

"Step out this way," he said, as Clymer aided the physician in lifting
the burglar, and he led them into the ante-room whence prisoners were
taken into the cage.

Stretching his burden on the floor, Stone tore open the man's shirt and
felt his heart, while Clymer, spying a water cooler, sped across the
room and returned immediately with a brimming glass.

"Here's water," he said, but Stone refused the proffered glass