The Woman Who Vowed (The Demetrian)Harding, Ellison
Science
The Woman Who Vowed (The Demetrian)
Harding, Ellison
Science fiction; Utopias -- Fiction
The affidavits read before the court by both sides brought out the facts
of the case in a manner to leave no doubt in a reasonable mind as to
Chairo's guilt. It was true that the person who actually forced the gate
of the cloister and overpowered the janitor remained unknown, but Chairo
had been arrested in the act of flight and in the company of Lydia,
whose capture was the only possible motive for the act. Then, too, on
the evening that preceded the capture a typewritten message had been
received by the high priest of the cult informing him that Chairo's
carriage would that night break down upon a certain road, and that the
cult would have an interest in watching the event. Clearly, therefore,
the capture had been planned by Chairo. Then, too, for every affidavit
read by Ariston to prove that the attack on the House of Detention had
been arranged as well as executed by Balbus a dozen affidavits were read
by the other side showing the preparations for violence that had been
made by Chairo prior to the carrying off of Lydia. The only question
that the court had to decide was, whether Chairo's immunity from
imprisonment as a member of the legislature applied to his case;
obviously he was an accessory to the crime after as well as before the
fact, even though he were not guilty of the crime itself; and he was
caught in the very act of carrying out the object for which the crime
was committed--that is to say, the placing of Lydia beyond the reach of
the cult. But Ariston argued that there was no obligation upon the court
to hold Chairo; the matter under the peculiar conditions which presented
themselves was practically left to their discretion; and he appealed to
them to liberate Chairo lest he should use his imprisonment as an
argument before the higher tribunal of public opinion, to which the
question must ultimately be referred. The court adjourned without
rendering a decision; and it was later arranged that Lydia be removed
from New York and Chairo released on parole not to leave the city limits
until the trial of his case.
Lydia, therefore, was taken to the Pater's farm at Tyringham; and I
gladly accepted an invitation to join the party there, which included
Ariston, Anna of Ann, the high priest of the cult, and a few others.
* * * * *
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account