e asked for "great latitude for grave reasons." Then, with marked
emphasis, he recapitulated all the various points he had detailed and
asked the Court to note their important bearing upon what he was about
to disclose.

The opposing Counsel shifted uneasily in his chair and shook his head in
utter bewilderment, and the Justice leaned forward on his desk.

Then Martin picked up the bill of complaint and began to read it with
great deliberation. That seemed to break the spell.

"Mr. Martin, I must ask you to come to your point, please," interrupted
the Justice.

"I am coming to it now, Sir."

He again took up the complaint and once more began to read it aloud.

Judge Blagden revolved his chair restlessly from side to side and again
interrupted--this time impatiently.

"You have already occupied almost twenty minutes, Mr. Martin. This is
not, you know, the Court of Appeals."

"Where your Honour's decision can be reviewed if incorrect? I am aware
of that, Sir."

The Magistrate looked sharply at the speaker, who regarded him with a
calm, cold glance.

"The Court cannot allow you to consume much more time, Sir. The decision
of this motion is largely a matter of discretion----"

"Which your Honour will remember is the better part of valour."

Judge Blagden frowned angrily at the speaker and picked up the
green-covered order.

The Court Room was hushed to almost breathless stillness.

"Go on with your argument, Mr. Martin, but be brief." The words came
from behind the paper in the Judge's hand.

Martin instantly sat down.

The Judge stopped reading and peered over the desk.

"Well," he queried, "have you finished?"

"No, Sir, I have not," answered Martin positively.

"Then proceed, Sir."

"When the Court honours me with the courtesy of its attention I will
proceed--but not until then."

The answer was a challenge, sharp and decisive.

"I am listening, Sir," retorted Blagden, in a tone of marked annoyance,
"and I have been listening much longer than should be necessary. Get to
your point at once."

"If the Court is willing to undertake a divided duty," Martin paused
until the Judge's eyes met his--"I am unwilling to receive a divided
attention."

"The Court has no inclination to hear further suggestions from Counsel
on this point."

The Judge took up his pen, dipped it in the ink, and turned to the last
page of the green-covered order.

Behind him Martin could hear the cub-reporter tiptoeing t