Gentlemen, I shall do my best, but I must say to you that it is a
hopeless fight. Young Cronk is perfectly indifferent as to his own
fate. He seems only anxious to have his brother acquitted of
complicity in the actual crime. Ernie Cronk says that he saw a
revolver in Grand's hand, but, you see, he is so vitally interested
that it is doubtful if his testimony will be credited. It is very
black for Dick Cronk. You may as well understand the situation. We
have one chance in a thousand of getting him off with a life sentence,
one in a million of securing an acquittal."
The next day David and Joey went to the Tombs to see the two men. Dick
came down to the visitor's cage, but Ernie stubbornly refused to see
the callers.
"He's in a terrible way, David," said Dick, in explanation of his
brother's attitude toward them. "You see, I'm an old hand at the
business, and I advised him to talk with no one except the lawyer.
It's bad policy, gabbing with everybody that comes along. Keep a close
tongue in your head, that's my motto. Ernie's followin' my advice
right up to the limit. He's so cussed stingy with his conversation
that he won't talk to himself.
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