The Silent Cry Page 0,154

agreed.

Ebenezer Goode rose to his feet.

"Yes, Mr. Goode," the judge forestalled him. "Sir Oliver, has Mr.

Hopgood's occupation got anything to do with Mr. Duffs guilt or innocence in this case?"

"Yes, my lord," Rathbone replied without hesitation. "The women he employs are profoundly pertinent to the issue, indeed they are the true victims in this tragedy."

There was a ripple of amazement around the room. Several of the jurors looked confused and annoyed.

In the dock Rhys moved position and a spasm of pain twisted his face.

The judge also seemed unhappy. "If you are going to demonstrate to the court that they were abused in some way, Sir Oliver, that will not help your client's cause. The fact that they can or cannot identify their assailants will distress them, and give you nothing. In fact it will only damage your client's sympathies still further. If it is your intention to plead insanity, then practical evidence is required, and of a very specific nature, as I am sure you know very well. You have pleaded "not guilty". Are you now wishing to change that plea?"

"No, my lord." Rathbone heard his words drop into a well of silence, and wondered if he had just made an appalling mistake. What was Rhys himself thinking of him? "No, my lord. I have no cause to believe that my client is not of sane mind."

"Then proceed with questioning Mrs. Hopgood," the judge directed. "But come to your point as rapidly as you are able. I shall not allow you to waste the court's time and patience with delaying tactics."

Rathbone knew how very close to the truth that charge was.

"Thank you, my lord," he said graciously, and turned back to Vida.

"Mrs. Hopgood, have you suffered a shortage of workers lately?"

"Yeah. Lot o' sickness," she replied. She knew what he wished. She was an intelligent woman, and articulate in her own fashion. "Or more like injury. Took me a fair bit o' argy-bargy, but I got it aht of 'em wot 'ad 'appened." She looked questioningly at Rathbone, and then, seeing his expression, continued with feeling. "They do a bit o' dolly mop stuff on the side... beggin' yer pardon, sir, I mean takes the odd gent 'ere an' there teradd a bit extra... well their children is 'ungry, or the like."

"We understand," Rathbone assured her, then explained for the jury.

"You mean they practise a little amateur prostitution, when times are particularly hard."

"In't that wot I said? Yeah. Can't blame 'em, poor cows. "Oo's gonna watch their children starvin', and not do sum mink abaht it?

In't 'uman." She drew breath. "Like I said, some of 'em was doin' a bit on the side, like. Well, first orff they got cheated outa pay. Got no pimps ter look arter 'em, yer see." Her handsome face darkened with anger. "Then it got worse. These geezers don't on'y cheat, they started roughin' 'em up, knockin' 'em around, like. First it were just a bit, then it got worse." Her expression twisted till the anger and pain in it were stark to see. "Some of 'em got beat pretty bad, bones broke, teef an' noses broke, kicked some of 'em were. Some of 'em was on'y bits o' children their selves So I got a bit o' money tergether an' 'ired me self someone ter find out 'oo wos doin' it." She stopped abruptly, staring at Rathbone. "D'yer want meter say 'oo I got, an' wot 'e found?"

"No, thank you, Mrs. Hopgood," Rathbone replied. "You have laid an excellent foundation for us to discern from these poor women themselves what occurred. Just one more thing..."

"Yeah?"

"How many women do you know of who were beaten in this way?"

"In Seven Dials? Abaht twen'y-odd, as I knows of. They went on ter St. Giles "Thank you, Mrs. Hopgood," Rathbone interrupted. "Please tell us only your own experience."

Goode rose again. "All we have heard so far is hearsay, my lord. Mrs.

Hopgood has not been a victim herself, and she has not mentioned Mr.

Rhys Duff. I have been extraordinarily patient, as was your lordship.

All this is tragic, and abhorrent, but completely irrelevant."

"It is not irrelevant, my lord," Rathbone argued. "The prosecution's case is that Rhys Duff went to the area of St. Giles to use prostitutes there, and that his father followed him, chastised him for his behaviour, and in the resulting quarrel, Rhys killed his father, and was severely injured himself. Therefore what happened to these women is fundamental to the case."

"I have not claimed that these unfortunate