"I do know it," he admitted. "Then why do you do it?" she snapped. The lawyer hesitated, and then he said: "I--that's not the question." Annie leaped quickly forward, and she replied: "It's my question--and as you say, I've asked it fifty times." The lawyer sat back in his chair and looked at her for a moment without speaking. He surveyed her critically from head to foot, and then, as if satisfied with his examination, said: "You're going on the stage?" She nodded. "I've had a very big offer." The judge leaned forward, and in a low voice, so that no one in the outer office might hear, he said: "Well, I'll give you twice as much if you refuse the engagement." She laughed ironically. "You mean that my father-in-law will give it," she said lightly. Then she went on: "You know it's no use your asking me to concede anything unless you agree to defend Howard." The lawyer shook his head. "I can't--it's impossible." "Then neither can I," she exclaimed defiantly. Judge Brewster could not refrain from smiling. This young woman had actually inveigled him into an argument. Almost mockingly, he said: "So you're determined to have me." "Yes," she said simply. "But I don't argue criminal cases." "That's just it," she exclaimed eagerly; "my husband is not a criminal. He is innocent. I don't want a lawyer who is always defending criminals. I want one who defends a man because he isn't a criminal." Judge Brewster waved his hand contemptuously. "Go and see some other lawyer--there are plenty of 'em." She leaned eagerly forward. Her face was flushed from excitement, her eyes flashed. "There's only one Judge Brewster," she exclaimed. "He's the greatest lawyer in the world, and he's going to help us. He is going to save Howard's life." The judge shifted uneasily on his chair. He didn't like this forceful, persistent young woman. Almost fretfully, he said: "You always say that. Upon my word, I shall begin to believe it soon." "I shall say it again," she exclaimed, "and again every time I see you." The lawyer turned round. There was a comic look of despair in his face which would have amused his visitor had her errand not been so serious. "How often do you intend that shall be?" "Every day," she replied calmly. "I shall say it and think it until--until it comes true." Judge Brewster tried to feel angry, although inwardly he had hard work to keep from smiling. With pretended indignation, he said: "You mean that you intend to keep at me until I give way--through sheer exhaustion?" She nodded. "That's it exactly," she said. The lawyer gasped. "Well, I must say you--you--you're very brave." Annie shook her head.