Colonel Playfair arose. The Judge looked at him in surprise.
“I beg pardon, Brother Playfair,” he said, politely. “You surely do not appear in this matter?”
“Yes, your honor, I do,” said the Colonel.
“You represent anybody interested?”
“I most certainly do,” said the Colonel. “I represent the minor child, Clinton Webb.”
Mr. Chester Downes leaned forward and whispered to his lawyer. The latter sprang up again.
“I beg Colonel Playfair’s pardon,” Maxwell said. “Does he state that he has been engaged directly by the boy mentioned to represent him before this court?”
Colonel Playfair was silent for a moment, and the other lawyer went on:
“For if not, I object. No engagement of an attorney by outside parties will stand, your honor. We expected some interference by officious friends of the misguided boy. His mother is his legal guardian, Mr. Hounsditch being dead——”
“Wait,” said the Judge, patiently. “Colonel Playfair knows the law as well as any man here,” and he smiled and bowed. “State your position, sir,” he said to the Colonel.