“Madam, would you like a chair?” the judge asked.
“Thank you, yes, Your Lordship,” she replied, giving him a grateful smile.
That’s it, Stone thought, pour on the charm for the judge; wouldn’t be the first time that had worked.
“Sir Winston,” the judge said, “do you have a request for this court?”
Sir Winston stood and handed a folder to the bailiff. “Thank
you, Your Lordship, yes. The government petitions this court for the trial on a charge of murder of one Allison Ames Manning, now present in the dock. We certify that we have sufficient evidence to bring this case to trial and to convict the defendant.”
The judge accepted the folder, flipped through it for a moment, and addressed the middle distance. “All is in order; who will appear for the prosecution?”
“I will, Your Lordship,” Sir Winston replied, “assisted by Henry Porter.”
The judge turned to the court reporter. “Write down that Sir Winston Sutherland and Mr. Henry Porter will appear for the prosecution.” He looked over at the defense table. “And who will act for the defense?”
“I will, Your Lordship,” Sir Leslie said, standing, “and I request to be assisted by Mr. Stone Barrington.” He turned to Stone and whispered, “Stand up.”
Stone stood, feeling foolish in the tight robe, the wig in his hand.
“I do not recognize Mr. Barrington,” the judge said.
“Your Lordship, Mr. Barrington is an American barrister, a prominent member of the New York bar. I request that he be admitted to the St. Marks bar for the duration of this action, so that I might have his advice.”
“Will he question witnesses?” the judge asked.
Stone spoke up before Sir Leslie could. “Yes, Your Lordship.”
“Mr. Barrington, have you had the experience of defending in a murder trial?”
“I have, Your Lordship, on four occasions.”
“And how did you do?” the judge asked impishly.
“They were all innocent, Your Lordship,” Stone replied with mock seriousness, “but only three were acquitted.”
The judge smiled. “Three out of four acquitted, eh? But then, you have such a lenient judicial system, don’t you?”
“On the contrary, Your Lordship, in a lenient system all four would have been acquitted.”
The judge laughed. “Very well, Mr. Barrington, you are admitted to the St. Marks bar for the duration of this trial.” He turned to the reporter. “Write down that the defense will be represented by Sir Leslie Hewitt and Mr. Stone Barrington.”
Sir Leslie leaned over and whispered out of the corner of his mouth, “Put on the wig.”
“What?” Stone whispered back.
“Put on the bloody wig!”
Stone put the wig on and stood there, feeling extremely foolish.
The judge smiled broadly. “Very becoming, Mr. Barrington. I’m sure you will do the St. Marks bar proud. You may be seated.”
Stone sat down, but Sir Leslie remained standing. “Your Lordship,” he said, “the defense requests bail for the defendant to extend through the trial.”
“Well,” the judge replied, “in a capital case, the bail would have to be substantial. Is the defendant possessed of a substantial sum of cash?”
“Your Lordship, the defendant owns a large yacht moored in English Harbour, which I am assured is valued at in excess of one and one-half million dollars in U.S. currency. I request that the yacht secure her bail, and that she be allowed to live aboard the vessel until these proceedings are concluded.”