"Yes," answered the justice, reluctantly.
"Are there any government bonds in the box, Mr. Reed."
"You can see for yourself, sir."
The manner of the witness toward the lawyer was courteous,
though in the tone in which he addressed the court there had
been a scarcely veiled contempt.
"I submit, then, that my young client has been guilty of no wrong.
He accepted the custody of the box from the rightful owner,
and this he had a clear right to do."
"How do you know that the witness is the rightful owner of
the box?" demanded the justice, in a cross tone. "He may have
stolen it from some other quarter."
"There is not a shadow of evidence of this," said the lawyer,
in a tone of rebuke.
"I am not sure but that he ought to be held."
"You will hold me at your peril, Mr. Duncan," said the witness,
in clear, resolute tones. "I have a clear comprehension of
my rights, and I do not propose to have them infringed."
Squire Duncan bit his lips. He had only a smattering of law, but
he knew that the witness was right, and that he had been betrayed
by temper into making a discreditable exhibition of himself.
"I demand that you treat me with proper respect," he said angrily.
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