be taken in the first instance, and such a prosecution would create a stronger feeling that the poor lady was being persecuted.'
'Those who really understand the matter will hardly thank them for their mercy.'
'But then so few will really understand it. The fact however is that she will be indicted for perjury. I do not know whether the indictment has not been already laid. Mr. Furnival was with me in town yesterday, and at his very urgent request, I discussed the whole subject with him. I shall be on the Home Circuit myself on these next spring assizes, but I shall not take the criminal business at Alston. Indeed I should not choose that this matter should be tried before me under any circumstances, seeing that the lady is my near neighbour. Now Furnival wants you to be engaged on the defence as junior counsel.'
'With himself?'
'Yes; with himself,—and with Mr. Chaffanbrass.'
'With Mr. Chaffanbrass!' said Graham, in a tone almost of horror—as though he had been asked to league himself with all that was most disgraceful in the profession;—as indeed perhaps he had been.
'Yes—with Mr. Chaffanbrass.'
'Will that be well, judge, do you think?'
'Mr. Chaffanbrass no doubt is a very clever man, and it may be wise in such a case as this to have the services of a barrister who is perhaps unequalled in his power of cross-examining a witness.'
'Does his power consist in making a witness speak the truth, or in making him conceal it?'
'Perhaps in both. But here, if it be the case as Mr. Furnival suspects, that witnesses will be suborned to give false evidence———'
'But surely the Rounds would have nothing to do with such a matter as that?'
'No, probably not. I am sure that old Richard Round would abhor any such work as you or I would do. They take the evidence as it is brought to them. I believe there is no doubt that at any rate one of the witnesses to the codicil in question will now swear that the signature to the document is not her signature.'
'A woman—is it?'
'Yes; a woman. In such a case it may perhaps be allowable to employ such a man as Mr. Chaffanbrass; and I should tell you also, such another man as Mr. Solomon Aram.'
'Solomon Aram, too! Why, judge, the Old Bailey will be left bare.'
'The shining lights will certainly be down at Alston. Now under those circumstances will you undertake the case?'
'Would you;—in my place?'
