t hold myself bound, nor do I intend, to consider anyone
or anything in comparison with the credit of the name which has been so
foully aspersed. It is for me to protect that name from discredit, and I
shall adopt every expedient within my reach to carry out my purpose."

"No doubt you are perfectly justified in doing so. I will merely remark
that hostility to my client cannot assist you in your object."

"Well," said Sydney, rising from his seat, "there can be no use in
continuing the conversation." And he added, in a lighter tone, "I am
sorry, Mr. Larmer, that I should be compelled to decline the first brief
you have offered me."

Larmer went back to his office a little crestfallen, but not at all
sorry that he had had this interview with Campion. He was better
prepared now for the course which the trial was likely to follow. He had
no doubt that Campion would be bold enough to undertake the prosecution,
and that he would do his best to get a conviction against Walcott, whom
he manifestly disliked. He was less sanguine from that moment as to the
result of his efforts; but, of course, he did not relax them. He
retained Mr. Charles Milton, a man with an excellent reputation in
criminal business, and one who, as he thought, would do his utmost to
avoid losing a case to Campion.

Milton, in effect, took the matter up with much zeal. He had (so far as
his professional instinct allowed him) accepted the theory of Walcott's
guilt, rather respecting him, if the truth were known, for refusing to
put up any longer with the persecutions of a revolted wife. But he had
no sooner received his brief in the case than he was perfectly convinced
of Walcott's innocence. The story told him by Mr. Larmer seemed not only
natural but transparently true, and when he heard that his club-mate of
the Oligarchy was actively interested for the other side, he determined
that no effort on his part should be wanting to secure a verdict.

Not that he had any grudge against Sydney; but they belonged to the same
profession, the same party, and the same club--three conceivable reasons
for Mr. Milton's zeal.

Thus Alan's defence was well provided for, and Mr. Larmer began to feel
more easy in his mind.

When Alan heard that the prosecution was likely to be conducted by
Sydney Campion, he took the news quietly, though it was a very serious
matter for him. He did not doubt its seriousness, but his heart had
already fallen so low that it could scarce