'I have always understood that the young man was quite poor, and that his wife's friends were also quite poor.' 'That is true. But a man may be quite poor, yet may have friends who will fight every point rather than see the man condemned to death--and on a false charge.' 'False?' 'Quite false, I assure you.' 'Sir, you surprise me. To be sure I did not see the assault. Yet the evidence was most clear. Two gentlemen, unknown to each other--another unknown to both who witnessed the affair--how can such evidence as that be got over?' 'Well, Mr. Probus, it is not for me to say how it will be got over. You are, I believe, giving evidence on what may be called a minor point; you will therefore be in the Court on the occasion of the Trial. I can say nothing, of course; but I should advise all persons engaged in the case to abstain from appearing if possible. I am assured that things quite unexpected will take place. Meantime, to return to the point for which I came here--advise your client to prepare himself to meet claims rising out of his wife's debts to the sum of many thousands.' 'How many thousands, did you say?' 'Forty thousand, I believe.' 'Good Heavens, sir, what can a woman be doing to get through such an enormous sum?' 'Indeed, I cannot inform you. It is an age in which women call themselves the equals of men. Your client, Mr. Probus, has got through a great deal more than that in the same time, including, I believe, the £25,000 which you lent him and which he cannot repay----' 'What do you know about these affairs, Sir?' 'Nothing--nothing. I shall see you in Court on the day of the Trial, Mr. Probus.' He went away leaving, as he intended, his brother in the law in an anxious condition, and having said nothing that would lead him to suspect that the conspiracy was entirely discovered, and would be laid open in court. Then came the last day before the Trial. In the afternoon all my friends were gathered together in my cell. The attorney had read for the last time my statement of defence. He looked through it once more. 'I do not believe,' he said, 'that the case will get so far. Whatever happens, Mr. Halliday, you will do well to remember that you have to thank Madame here, and I do not believe it will be possible for you to thank her enough, until you find out for yourself the sacrifices she has made for you and the risks she is running on your behalf. I can but hope, Madame, that the sacrifices may be made up to you, and that the risks may prove illusory.' She smiled, but it was a wan smile. 'Whatever the result,' she said, 'believe me, Sir, I shall never regret either the sacrifices, if you call them such, or the risks, if by either we can defeat this most abominable conspiracy.'