"Well, Mr. Dale, what do you think of the prosecution?" The old man sipped his tea, and carefully put down his cup before he replied: "I’m afraid it looks very black for my poor boy. I hardly know what to think. Do you know, sir, that last speech absolutely shook my faith in Rupert’s innocence; what, then, must be its effect on the Judge!" Mr. Marshall laughed heartily. "Good gracious, Mr. Dale, you must not take anything he said seriously; and, besides, it is the jury, not the Judge, that matters. It will be my turn to-morrow. You have not heard the other side yet." The old man looked up quickly. "Do you really think there is still hope, sir?" "Hope, Mr. Dale! I am hoping to-morrow to completely pulverise my learned friend, Mathews. Why, bless me! he entirely ignored the fact that the man who sent the cheque to the bank has not yet been found, while the woman, Ruby Strode, who actually received the money, is also not forthcoming. My dear sir, these two facts alone, when—ahem!—skilfully handled, are quite enough to damn the case for the prosecution! Remember this: In English law a man is innocent until he has been proved guilty. I admit there are many very suspicious circumstances, which our learned friend made the most of; but there has been no direct evidence in proof adduced, and that is our strong point. The evidence to-day, however strong, was purely circumstantial. Mind, I do not say as things stand at present that there is no danger of an adverse verdict; but I do say that we have a good case. I wish we could find that young woman. I feel certain that her evidence would go far to clear your son." "You have greatly relieved my mind," Dale sighed, "for I was feeling very down about it; and now I must be getting back to my rooms. I wonder if I can get a ’bus to Bloomsbury?" "You are a stranger to London, and it would be most unsafe for you to try to find your way by ’bus. A taxi will only cost you a shilling. Come along, and I will see you safely off." As the taxi drove off with John Dale, a boy handed Mr. Marshall a telegram: "The caretaker sent me across with this, sir, as he thought it might be important." Mr. Marshall nodded, and tore open the envelope. "Miss Strode here now; can you come at once? Very important.—REDWAY." Mr. Marshall’s face lit up with excitement. The solicitors were only in Chancery Lane, so he decided to walk. Just as he passed the Griffin he found himself on the edge of a large crowd, and he had some difficulty in forcing his way through; so he did not notice that it was caused by an accident. A taxi-cab and a motor-bus had collided, and apparently some one had been injured, for a police ambulance was arriving. When he got clear of the crowd he hurried on, little thinking who it was being lifted on to the ambulance. * * * * *