at he had never thought to
do--surreptitiously poured and swallowed a glass of his master's
brandy. As the days marched by, he had in some sort recovered--slowly,
if for no other reason because Grief should have air and not be clapped
under hatches. And now--here was the lady, pointing in person the
unpleasant truth that she had no further use for him....

Had they but told their love before his downfall, his course would have
been simple. In that case, to ask an explanation of his dismissal
would have been lawful enough. But things had not gone so far. It was
while they were yet upon the threshold of harmony that the end had
come. Of his honesty Anthony felt that he had no right to question
her. The lady had not engaged herself: she was still free to do as she
pleased. His cursed footmanhood was an additional embarrassment. To
speak vulgarly, it put the lid on. And now--why was she here?

Thus throughout his examination-in-chief the imps of Recollection and
Speculation spun and whirled in his brain-pan.

Why on earth was she there?

It is doubtful whether Miss French herself could have answered that
question.

You will please believe, gentlemen, that her heart had brought her. It
is the plain truth. Though Anthony did not know it, he had taken her
faith in his hands and torn it across and across. For all that, she
loved him still. She had a strange, pathetic longing to see him once
more, and the case of "The King against Morgan" had offered her the
chance. She had heard of the matter, and knew he must come to court to
give his evidence. In such a place she would be able to study him
undisturbed, and, most important of all, any speech between them would
be safely impossible. A note to the High Sheriff had arranged her
admission.... Incidentally, a burst tire on the way from Bell Hammer
had almost spoiled everything. As we have seen, however, the ladies
were just in time....

"Yes," purred counsel for the Crown. "And then?"

"Then the prisoner gave a cry and rushed into the drawing-room."

"What did you do?"

"I followed him and seized him. When assistance arrived, he was
secured, and in the morning he was handed over to the police."

With a nod, counsel resumed his seat.

Mr. Morgan's representative got upon his feet with a truculent air. As
he did so, somebody touched him upon the shoulder, and he turned to see
his client leaning out of the dock. With an apologetic smirk at his
lord