The Kit-Bag

When the words 'Not Guilty' sounded through the crowded courtroom that
dark December afternoon, Arthur Wilbraham, the great criminal KC, and
leader for the triumphant defence, was represented by his junior; but
Johnson, his private secretary, carried the verdict across to his
chambers like lightning.

'It's what we expected, I think,' said the barrister, without emotion;
'and, personally, I am glad the case is over.' There was no particular
sign of pleasure that his defence of John Turk, the murderer, on a plea
of insanity, had been successful, for no doubt he felt, as everybody who
had watched the case felt, that no man had ever better deserved the
gallows.

'I'm glad too,' said Johnson. He had sat in the court for ten days
watching the face of the man who had carried out with callous detail one
of the most brutal and cold-blooded murders of recent years.

Be counsel glanced up at his secretary. They were more than employer and
employed; for family and other reasons, they were friends. 'Ah, I
remember; yes,' he said with a kind smile, 'and you want to get away for
Christmas? You're going to skate and ski in the Alps, aren't you? If I
was your age I'd come with you.'

Johnson laughed shortly. He was a young man of twenty-six, with a
delicate face like a girl's. 'I can catch the morning boat now,' he said;
'but that's not the reason I'm glad the trial is over. I'm glad it's over
because I've seen the last of that man's dreadful face. It positively
haunted me. Bat white skin, with the black hair brushed low over the
forehead, is a thing I shall never forget, and the description of the way
the dismembered body was crammed and packed with lime into that--'

'Don't dwell on it, my dear fellow,' interrupted the other, looking at
him curiously out of his keen eyes, 'don't think about it. Such pictures
have a trick of coming back when one least wants them.' He paused a
moment. 'Now go,' he added presently, 'and enjoy your holiday. I shall
want all your energy for my Parliamentary work when you get back. And
don't break your neck skiing.'

The Kit-Bag