At the end of half an hour, the sheriff took me back into court. Judge Oliphant came in and took his seat on the bench. His shoulders were sagging. He looked down at the district attorney, and said, “The court has no other alternative. The law in this case is exactly as contended by the petitioner. Under this law a man could—and has—committed a cold-blooded murder with complete legal immunity. Posing as a not-too-bright young criminal, he has victimized the law itself. There can be no question in the mind of the court but what the shrewd and unscrupulous intelligence of the petitioner in this case has carefully planned each step in a well-laid campaign. However, there is no legal proof before the court indicating that such is the case. The California decisions cited by the petitioner are absolutely in point. In view of the interpretation which has been placed upon the law by the courts of California, it would be idle to contend for any other interpretation. California has passed upon the matter, and the California courts have precluded themselves from seeking any other interpretation of the law. California cannot extradite this man. The petitioner is discharged from custody, much as the court regrets the necessity of making such a decision.”

The district attorney said, “Your honor, we don’t need to believe his story. We can hold him for further developments. Perhaps he—”

“Apparently you don’t appreciate the diabolical ingenuity of the petitioner’s position,” Judge Oliphant said. “He can’t be extradited from Arizona. He isn’t a fugitive from justice—not from California at any rate. I doubt if there is enough evidence to connect him with this Kansas City crime. If there is, there will be little difficulty in finding the petitioner. He certainly is not going to leave the State of Arizona. Here he enjoys legal immunity. Elsewhere, he would not, and the perspicacity of this petitioner is such that he not only realizes that fact but will take full technical advantage of it. I even doubt if he could be extradited to Kansas City. The petitioner is discharged.”

A slow murmur grew in volume from the crowd in the courtroom. It was not a hostile murmur. It was a murmur of surprise and of interest. Had an attorney been representing me, I probably would have been lynched. As it was, I had been the underdog, standing alone and unaided at the bar of justice. I had forced the judge to accept my interpretation of the law and had whipped the astounded district attorney to a standstill.

Someone applauded.

Someone laughed.

The judge ordered the courtroom cleared, and then adjourned court.

Chapter Fourteen

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

THE CLERK at the Phoenix Hotel said, “Mrs. Cool arrived by airplane from California. She had rather a rough trip and was quite upset. She left word that under no circumstances was she to be disturbed.”