Page:Bailey - Call Mr Fortune (Dutton, 1921).djvu/246

Rh make and exactly similar to a box sold to Kimball. And Kimball takes cocaine. It's a good prima facie case."

"Yes. Did you ever see a jury that would hang a man on it?"

"We do have to be so careful," Bell murmured.

Reggie laughed. "And Kimball's a Cabinet Minister."

"Damn it. Fortune, be fair!" Lomas cried. "If had a sound case against a man, he would stand his trial whoever he was. I don't wink at a fellow who's got a pull. You know that. But there's a reason in all things. I can't charge a Cabinet Minister with murder on evidence like this. What is it after all?" He picked up his scribbling-pad and read: "'Three circumstances—Kimball knew the murdered man; a snuff-box like Kimball's was found on the scene of the murder; that snuff-box held cocaine, and cocaine is what Kimball uses.' Circumstantial evidence at its weakest. Neither judge nor jury would look at it. There's no motive, there's no explanation of the method of the crime. My dear chap, suppose you were on the other side, you'd tear it to ribands in five minutes."

"On the other side?" Reggie repeated slowly. "I'm not an advocate, Lomas. I'm always on the same side. I'm for justice. I'm for the man who's been wronged."

Lomas stared at him. "Yes. Quite—quite. But