"Searle!" exclaimed the minister passionately. "You must not proceed with this. If you are a man of any heart, you will not persist against my pleadings. I tell you frankly there are secrets in that box which, while they would do you no good, could be used to ruin innocent men—guilty ones, too, perhaps; but the innocent with the guilty."
Hampstead was speaking hoarsely, his voice raised and trembling with an excitement and lack of nerve control he had never exhibited before in public.
The prosecutor's face pictured surprise and even gloating, but his eyes expressed a purpose unshaken.
"Confidences in my possession must be respected," Hampstead went on, arguing vehemently. "The confidences of a patient to his physician, of a penitent to his priest, are respected by the law. Because some of these confidences happen to be in writing, you have no right to violate them."
"And I tell you I have no intention to violate them," Searle returned testily. "My order is a warrant of search for a diamond necklace."
"And I tell you I will not respect the order of the court," blazed the minister. "You shall not examine the box!"
Judge Mortimer was startled; the bondsmen, although surprised by the minister's show of feeling, were sympathetic.
"I do not care whether you consent or not," Searle rejoined sarcastically. "I have the key, and I have the order of court, which the vault custodian must respect. I have done you the courtesy to meet you here so that you might be present when the box was examined. You must be beside yourself to suppose that I can be swayed from my duty, even temporarily, by an appeal like this."
"I think, Doctor, you should have the advice of your attorney on this," suggested Mr. Wilson considerately; and then turning to the Assistant District Attorney, observed sharply: "It seems to me, Searle, that this is rather a high-handed procedure."
But this remark of the practical Mr. Wilson had an instantly calming effect upon the minister.