“Is the case ready” inquired the justice mildly.

“I will ask just a moment’s delay, your, Honor,” announced Lawyer Ripley, rising.  “I wish a moment’s conference with my principals.”

The court nodding, Mr. Ripley crossed the room, engaging in earnest whispered conversation with the Dodges, father and son.

While this was going on a telegraph messenger boy entered.  Espying Dick, he went over and handed him a yellow envelope.  Dick tore it open.  It was a telegram sent by Dave Darrin, on the way to Tottenville, and read: 

“Fred Ripley said he heard insult offered you by Dodge yesterday.  Get case adjourned to Monday and Ripley will testify in your behalf.”

Smiling, Dick passed the message to his father.  Mr. Prescott, after scanning the telegram, rose gravely, crossed the room and handed the slip of paper to Lawyer Ripley.

“If the court please, we are now ready with this case,” announced Lawyer Ripley.

“Proceed, counselor.  Mr. Clerk, you will swear such witnesses as are to be called.”

“If the court please,” hastily interjected Mr. Ripley.  “I don’t believe it is going to be necessary to call any witnesses.  With the court’s permission I will first make a few explanations.”

“This case, your Honor, is one in which Albert Dodge, a minor, with the consent of his father, has preferred a charge of aggravated assault against Richard Prescott, a minor.

“That there was a fight, and that said Prescott did vigorously assault young Dodge, there is no doubt.  Prescott himself does not deny it.  But I am satisfied, if it please the court, that the case is one in which, on the evidence, young Prescott is bound to be discharged.  I am satisfied that young Prescott had abundant provocation for the assault he committed.  Further, we have received apparently satisfactory assurance by wire that a witness is prepared to testify to conduct and speech, on the part of young Dodge, that would justify an assault, or, as the boys call it, ‘a fight.’  Now, your Honor, if the prisoner, Prescott, through his father, will agree to hold the elder Dodge blameless in the matter of civil damages on account of this arrest, I shall move to have the case dismissed.”

“Will you so agree, Mr. Prescott,” inquired the court, glancing at Dick’s father.

“Yes,” agreed the elder Prescott, “though I must offer my opinion that this arrest has been a shameful outrage.”

“My client, the elder Dodge-----” began Lawyer Ripley, in a low
voice.

“Case dismissed,” broke in Justice Vesey briskly, and Mr. Ripley did not finish his remark.

Bowing to the court, Dick rose, picked up his hat and started out with his father.

But once outside Herr Schimmelpodt caught them both by the arm.

“Vait!” he commanded.  “I much vant to hear me vot Lawyer Ripley haf to say to dot young scallavag.”