Blackthorn Farm

e little rooms at Westminster and been driven to the police court. It all seem

it in a bare cell, the sudden hurrying through dark passages, the Court, with the hum of conversation suddenly

ld mist. He was committed for trial, but bail was offered him, two sureties of ￡500 each. He had shaken h

ot a friend; many acquaintances-m

ht him. He had just finished chapter sixty-two, and the tale of Rudge's prison had stran

often had he reasoned it all out and fought agains

e him? Why had she sent no

s own breast had really been pointed at her heart. She h

hers, too? And now it was up to him to play the man and pay

him. A second warder walked behind, and, after descending a flight of stairs, he stopped before

irs were the only furniture. Seated at the table was an elderly man with a closely-trimmed beard, while, standing with his back to the firepla

r. Marshall, who has undertaken

s too surprised to speak, and the

the brief and will defend you. Now, Mr. Dale, I want you to tell us all you know about this unfortunate occurrence. You must understand that whatever you tell us will be treated as strictly confidentia

so! quite so!" and began to e

to plead guilty; I have no desire to be defended-I

shall c

s we've been able to obtain it from the proceedings in the police court, and the statements made by the witnesses for the prosecution. What we now require are the exact circumstances u

been betting, and li

you altered the cheque under the pre

rt n

gave the cheque in the first instan

e crime, and I do not wish to make any further

l insight into this case, which possibly I could not get from my brief alone. The least you can do in return is to answer the questions asked you, and give us as much information as you are able. You must

I fully appreciate Sir Reginald's kindness in arranging for my defence. Believe me, I am very grateful to him and to you both; but there are circumstances whi

d at Mr. Marshall with raised eyebrows, and the

shield your accomplice by refusing to confide in us, you are not only spoiling your own case, but very possibly endangering your f

ly reflected on his face, for Mr. Redway exclaimed: "You don't

trode's present address? This is really most important, as she has completely disappear

where she is, and have heard nothing of her since I was arrested." Then, after a moment's hesitation: "I suppo

help. I shall see you again before the trial, when I hope you will see your way to pl

orted Rupert back to his cell. As h

ating steps of the warder echoe

r's writing. He sat on the wooden bunk and slowly opened it. The envelope fell to

before his eyes, and he shuddered at the bare possibili

n the face and said 'No! It is impossible! He is a true gentleman!' He shook my hand and said: 'Neither do I; and what's more, I'll see he has a fair trial.' He has written to his lawyers and they are to help you, and he has brought me up to London, and I hope to see you to-morrow. For God's s

fectiona

N DA

ed aloud. Try as he would, great sobs shook his frame. All his resolutions were shattered by this appeal

ould be quickly proved. Nay, he need only give a hint, and t

een too ready to do so for Ruby's sake; but had he any right to sacrifice his father and sister a

en shelf. As a prisoner awaiting trial he

of paper and wr