could they not do where the evidence was less obvious? They
were henceforth immune. Who shall say how many embryonic
law-breakers took courage at the story and started upon an
experimental attempt at crime?

The news of such an acquittal must instantly have been carried
to the Tombs, where every other guilty prisoner took heart and
prepared anew his defence. Those about to plead guilty and
throw themselves upon the mercy of the court abandoned their
honest purpose and devised some perjury instead. Criminals
almost persuaded that honesty was the best policy changed
their minds. The barometer of crime swung its needle from
"stormy" to "fair."

But apart from the law-breakers consider the effect of such a
miscarriage of justice upon a young, honest and zealous
officer. First, all his good work, his bravery, his
conscientious effort at safeguarding the sleeping public had
been disregarded, tossed aside with a sneer, and had gone for
naught. The jury had stamped his story as a lie and
stigmatized him, by their action, as a perjurer. They had
chosen two professional criminals as better men. His whole
conduct of the case instead of being commended as meritorious
had resulted in a solemn public declaration that he was not
worthy of credence and that he had attempted wilfully to
railroad to State's prison two innocent men. In other words.
that he ought to be there himself. What was the use of trying
to do good work any longer? He might just as well loiter in
an area on a barrel and smoke a furtive cigar when he ought to
be "on post." Perhaps he might better "stand in" with those