"Well, what's to be done?" demanded Robin. "We insist on having our
own legal advisors here."
"The court will not delay the hearing, M'sieur," explained the young
man. "Besides, the best legal advisor in Paris could do no more than
to advise you to plead guilty. I at least can do that quite as ably
as the best of them. No one ever pretends to defend a case in the
automobile courts, M'sieur. It is a waste of time, and the court does
not approve of wasting time. Perhaps you will feel more content if I
introduce the assistant public prosecutor, who will explain the law.
That is his only duty. He does not prosecute. There is no need. The
_sergents_ testify and that is all there is to the case."
"May I inquire what service you can be to us if the whole business is
cut and dried like that?" asked Robin.
"Not so loud, M'sieur. As I said before, I can advise you in respect
to your plea, and I can tell you how to present your statement to the
court. I can caution you in many ways. Sometimes a prisoner, who is
well-rehearsed, succeeds in affecting the honourable Magistrate
nicely, and the punishment is not so severe.
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