ecords to show that the elder Hepburn had been four times arrested for
inciting disorder and on similar complaints.

"'Bject!"

"Orderly," called Major Elbert. A sergeant who had accompanied the
officers of the court stepped forward. "Orderly," continued the major,
mildly, "if this attorney makes any further disturbance, put him out of
the room. You should understand, Counsellor, that this is a military
court, and that you, as a civilian attorney, are admitted here as a
matter of courtesy. The chief of police will now go on with his
testimony, and if there be anything in it, Counsellor, to which you wish
to take exception, at the proper time you will be afforded an
opportunity. But we cannot have the court's time wasted by boisterous
conduct on the part of any one present."

Major Elbert's manner was not that of the bully, or of one abusing brief
authority. His voice was mild and soft, but he meant business.

Chief Blake continued, testifying that not one of the young fellows in
Bunny's crew was a valuable or reliable member of the community. Four of
them had been arrested on minor charges in the past, and all of them,
Bunny included, had given the police of the town many kinds of trouble
and annoyance in the past.

"Chief," inquired the major softly, "what do you feel at liberty to say
regarding the truthfulness of any of the complaining witnesses?"

"I wouldn't believe one of 'em, sir, under any oath that could be
imposed on 'em," replied Chief Blake bluntly. "In the past my policemen
and I have known every one of that outfit to lie repeatedly when accused
of different kinds of disorderly conduct."

"Then you believe, Chief, that the complaining witnesses are members of
a definite gang, and that they are all wholly untruthful and
undependable?"

"To that question, sir, I have no hesitation whatever in saying 'yes.'"

"Have you any more evidence to offer, Chief?"

"I have two witnesses outside, sir, whom I think you would like to
hear."

"Will you send for them?"

Bunny and his crew, during the testimony of Chief Blake, which had not
been expected by them, had felt partly dazed. They sat either scowling
or grinning sheepishly while the new witnesses were being awaited. The
elder Hepburn sat behind the younger men, running the fingers of his
right hand through his glossy black hair.

When the two witnesses entered, the gangsters started and exchanged
glances. One was a middle-aged man, the other Skinny C