'It is possible. I hope so. Meantime, however, I have come to communicate to you a matter which perhaps you do not know; but which it is important that you should know. The person chiefly concerned gives me permission to speak of it. Perhaps you do know it already. Perhaps your client has not concealed it from you. Do you, for instance, know that Mr. Matthew Halliday is a married man?' Mr. Probus started. 'Married?' he cried. 'Married? No, certainly not.' 'It is evident that you do not know your client's private history. He has been married two years and more. He does not, however, cohabit with his wife. They are separated--by consent.' 'Matthew married?' 'They are separated, I say. Such separation, however, does not release the husband from the liability of his wife's debts.' 'Has his wife--has Mrs. Matthew--contracted debts?' He looked very uneasy. 'His wife--she is a client of mine--has contracted very large debts. She may possibly make an arrangement with her creditors. But she may not. In the latter case, she will send them to your client who will hand them over to you. They will demand payment without delay. Failing payment they will take all the steps that the law permits--also without delay. That is why I thought it best to communicate the facts to you. My client authorized me to do so.' Mr. Probus made no answer. He could not understand what this meant. 'If it is your interest to postpone bankruptcy, Mr. Probus, it may be wiser, for some reason or other, to force it on. I only came to tell you of this danger which threatens your client--not you, of course. But your client whose wife is mine.' Mr. Probus made at first no reply. He was thinking what this might mean. He was, of course, too wary not to perceive that the threat of forcing on bankruptcy was part of the defence, though in an indirect manner. 'Have you,' he asked presently, 'any knowledge of the amount of these debts?' 'I believe they amount to over £40,000.' Mr. Probus groaned aloud. 'I thought I would prepare your mind for the blow which may happen any day. Let me see. The trial takes place next Wednesday--next Wednesday. I dare say the creditors will wait till after that event. Good-morning, Mr. Probus.' He was going away when Mr. Probus called him back. 'You are aware, sir, that I made the prisoner a handsome offer?' 'I have been told that you made a certain offer.' 'I offered him the very large sum of £5,000 if he would sell his succession. If he consents the principal witnesses in the case shall not appear.' 'Mr. Probus, as the case stands now I would not take £50,000 for the price of his chance.' Again he was going away, and again Mr. Probus called him back. 'We were speaking,' he said, 'of the defence of that unhappy young man, Mr. William Halliday. Of course I am concerned in the matter only as an accidental bystander--and, of course, an old friend of the family. There is to be a defence, you say.' 'Assuredly.'