y told him all that Sydney Campion had said,
Alan could not find it in his heart to blame Lattice's brother for his
hostility.

CHAPTER XXVI.

IN COURT.

No doubt it was from some points of view an unprofessional act of Sydney
Campion to appear in court as counsel for the prosecution of Alan
Walcott. Sydney knew that he was straining a rule of etiquette, to say
the least of it; but, under the circumstances, he held himself justified
in fishing for the brief.

The matter had been taken up by the Treasury, and Sydney had asked an
intimate friend, who was also a friend of the Attorney-General, to give
the latter a hint. Now Sir James was, above all things, a suave and
politic man of the world, who thought that persons of position and
influence got on best in the intricate game of life by deftly playing
into each other's hands. When one gentleman could do something for
another gentleman, to oblige and accommodate him, it was evidently the
proper course to do it gracefully and without fuss. Campion's motives
were clearly excellent. As he understood the business (although the
ambassador put it very delicately indeed), a lady's reputation was at
stake; and if Sir James prided himself on one thing more than another,
it was his gallantry and discretion in matters of this kind. So he told
his friend to go back and set Mr. Campion's mind at rest; and in the
course of a day or two Sydney received his brief.

"Who is going to defend?" he asked his clerk, when he had glanced at his
instructions.

"I heard just now that Larmer had retained Mr. Charles Milton."

"Charles Milton! The deuce! It will be a pretty little fight, Johnson!"

"They don't seem to have a leg to stand on; the evidence is all one way,
even without the wife. I don't know what his story is, but it cannot
have any corroboration--and hers is well supported."

"I am told she will be able to appear. She seems to be a terrible
talker--that is the worst of her. I must keep her strictly within the
ropes."

"The other side will not have the same motives," said Johnson, who knew
all about the scandal which had preceded the assault, and who wanted to
get his employer to speak.

"You think Mr. Milton will draw her on?"

"Sure to, I should say. If I were defending (since you ask me), I would
not loose my grip until I had got her into a rage; and from all I hear
that would make the jury believe her capable of anything, even of
stabbing herself and swearing