For once in his careless life the young man realized that he was face to face with something bigger and stronger than his own determination, and it daunted him. He began to see that he had underestimated these foreigners, for it seemed an easy matter to convict an innocent man in these Central American courts. He recalled certain ridiculous stories of Spanish justice which he had laughed at; he remembered Mrs. Cortlandt's vivid tale of an execution she had once beheld in the court-yard of Chiriqui prison; and suddenly he decided to cable for Darwin K. Anthony—the one man who was strong enough to save him.
When it came time for him to speak, he told a straight story about his own actions on that night, and he was corroborated by Allan; but he knew that their words had little weight against that other testimony. Of course, he was remanded for trial, and that night the newspapers of the city were crowded with columns of sensational reading-matter bearing upon the crime.
Anson, the lawyer, gave him a ray of encouragement as he left.
"Don't go too much on this hearing," he said. "I think we'll pull you out all right."
"You THINK! I dare say Ramon Alfarez can get a dozen men to perjure themselves as easily as he got those two."
"Exactly. But I have a little coup that I intend to spring at the right moment."
"For Heaven's sake, tell me what it is."
"I'm sorry, but I can't just yet. In the first place, one must handle these people exactly right or they explode."
"But give me an idea at least. I'm really interested in the outcome of this case, you know."
Anson smiled. "Of course you are, and I'll tell you as soon as I can, but not now."