CHAPTER XXVI

SUNSHINE AFTER RAIN

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 defies 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 unshed tears.

“This is my first case, and my last,” said he.  “I won it honestly.  It was the judge, not the evidence, that defeated me.  I’m going to rent my office and apply for a job as a chauffeur.”

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’ve an 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 fine 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 way the judge decides.  It was only Solomon who could satisfy everybody.”

“Clear the room!” shouted the bailiff.

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 Le Drieux 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.”