The attorney afterwards had a conference with his client, in which he endeavoured to expound the law of the case to the prosecutor before he sought to learn how the facts stood. I don't know what the reader may think of this order of proceeding. It strikes me as having not been quite logical, or morally correct. It was very like giving Mr. Crapp a hint how he might shape the facts, and throw off a burden or loss from his own shoulders to those of the banker. Until indeed this result of the legal demonstration was made quite apparent to the prosecutor, he could not be induced to tax his memory about the facts. "You see," said Mr. Croak, "if you really did fill up and sign the cheque, and happened to suffer it to lie about unnoticed for an hour or two; or suppose, after filling it up and signing it, you handed it to Thinshanks to post to Clockwork's, and suppose he stole it or cashed it without authority, and appropriated to his own use the proceeds--?" "Well, suppose he did. That's what he did do, I dare say," replied Mr. Crapp. "I hope not," rejoined the attorney. "Hope not! What's the use of hoping not? the blackguard's bad enough for any thing." "No doubt he is; but, you see, if he stole a cheque after you had signed it, we couldn't say that he forged your signature, could we?" "No, I suppose not; but what matters about that? Isn't it as wicked and abominable to steal a cheque signed, as it would be to steal one unsigned? If it isn't forgery, it's robbery, felony, isn't it?" "Yes, yes, my good Mr. Crapp; but I must speak plainer, I see. I want to find out who is to be at the loss of the money--the 50_l._ odd." "Why, I suppose I must be--of course, mustn't I?" "I don't know. Let us see how the facts and the law stand. I hope I can show that not my client, but the bank, must bear the loss of the cash." "Oh, I see your drift; but how is that to be made out?" "Why, suppose you left your drawer open--just suppose, you know, it had so happened--and that you left your cheque-book available to your clerk." (Here the attorney drew breath, and looked critically at his client.) "Suppose that he tore out a blank cheque, and filled it up, and wrote your signature under the order to pay, that would be forgery, you know." "Yes, I know that." "Then you would _not_ have to lose the money. The banker would lose it." "Would he?" "Yes; because if he pays a forged cheque, the consequences are his, not yours." Mr. Crapp was bewildered by the strength of his new enlightenment. "Ah! I see. Yes. I wonder how it was? Now, 'pon my word, Mr. Croak, I can't tell for the life of me at this moment how it was. I'll rub up my memory. I'll let you know to-morrow."