The other slowly lifted his head. Looking upon that face, his friend could see the marks of the terrible experience he was passing through. Tressamer had always been a youth of wild and stormy emotions; no man less calm and steadfast than Prescott could have maintained a friendship so long with such a nature. But now he was struggling with passions compared with which the emotions of schoolboys were as nothing. 'George, what shall I do? I want you to decide. You know me too well to think I care about the little benefit to myself when it's a case of life and death with a friend like you. Shall I chuck up the case?' Tressamer gazed at him gratefully at first, and then with a hesitating, pondering look. Finally he said: 'You have read your brief, and, of course, you know the worst. Tell me, what do you think, honestly?' 'Honestly, George, I see no defence. There is no doubt the old woman has been murdered. I don't see how it could have been done by anyone outside the house; and then there is the blood on the door-handle. I may tell you that, even before I knew how you stood, in reading the brief I felt a sort of hesitation--that is, I couldn't get that feeling of confidence that one generally has in one's case when the evidence is clear. I felt as if I shouldn't put much heart into the prosecution. But, still, I don't see what defence there is.' Tressamer listened in silence, and let a moment or two go by before he gave his decision. 'I would rather you kept your brief. I would rather you did it. After all, you have merely a mechanical part to perform; it is only routine. Suppose I were to have a limb amputated, I should like it to be done by a man I knew. And this is something of the same sort. The evidence is there, and you will not make it any worse--or better.' The other was shocked at the gloomy, resigned way in which he spoke. 'Good heavens! you don't mean that you too believe----' 'No, Charles. I believe she is innocent. But I do not expect her innocence will ever be proved in this world.' 'Oh, come, you mustn't give up now! All sorts of things may happen. The trial may go differently to what you expect. Half the time these witnesses don't swear up to their proofs.' 'They have given their evidence twice already--at the inquest and before the magistrates.' 'Yes; but then they weren't cross-examined. It is very different when they have a man like you to turn them inside out. You're not nervous about it, are you?' 'Nervous!' He smiled grimly. 'No; it was at my own request I received this brief. A breach of etiquette, you see'--with another heavy smile. 'If she can be saved, I shall save her. Shall I tell you my defence?' 'No, don't; I would rather be taken by surprise. I don't want to shine in this case, Heaven knows! Take every advantage I can fairly give you. I know you don't expect more.' 'Thank you,' was the answer.