To the astonishment of Mr. de Leval, the lawyer replied that under German military rules he was not allowed to see his client before the trial began. The prosecution had every opportunity of preparing its case. The judges were fully informed of every circumstance that might bias them against the prisoner. But the poor lonely woman in prison could not even see her counsel in private, and all the documents were withheld from his inspection.
Photo Copyright
Farringdon Photo Company.
NURSE CAVELL WHEN A CHILD, WITH HER MOTHER AND ELDER SISTER.
Daily Mirror Photograph.
THE RECTORY, SWARDESTON, WHERE NURSE CAVELL WAS BORN.
In these circumstances Mr. de Leval decided that he would attend the trial himself. Unfortunately, he did not persist in this decision.
It is extremely doubtful, in view of what happened afterwards, if the authorities would have permitted the presence of a neutral spectator of the administration of German “justice.” What induced Mr. de Leval to give way was the consideration of Miss Cavell’s interests. Mr. Kirschen urged that the presence of an American at the trial would prejudice the prisoner’s chances. The judges would feel they were under supervision, and would be likely to be more severe in consequence. Mr. Kirschen declared that there was not the least chance of a miscarriage of justice, and promised to inform Mr. de Leval of every development of the case.
We may judge of the value of his advocacy from the fact that he afterwards broke all these promises except one. He did tell Mr. de Leval when the trial was coming on. He never made any report of the progress of the trial, although it took two days. He never disclosed what the sentence was. He never informed the only powerful friends of his unhappy client that she was to be executed unless outside intervention came. And when Mr. de Leval tried to find him he had disappeared.