'Since then you have seen how it has happened exactly as he foretold. Now, it seems a dreadful thing to say, but the suspicion has forced itself into my mind, and I cannot get rid of it, that he wished all along that I might be blighted in my reputation, and just be saved at the last from actual condemnation, so that I might be driven to take refuge with him.' She spoke these last sentences in a whisper, as if afraid to hear such suggestions even from her own lips. Prescott gave a groan. 'Would to Heaven I could contradict you!' he said, 'but I believe it myself.' And he related to her what had passed between his friend of old and himself. Then he went on to ask: 'By the way, can you can tell me anything more about that night than what came out in court? It was you who went out the first time, I take it?' 'Yes. I had been quite unwell for some time, owing to my trouble with George Tressamer. After our final meeting I had a terrible headache, and could not sleep at all. I went out each night about the same hour, but I haven't the faintest idea where I wandered to or how long I was gone. I got a little sleep after I came in, towards the morning.' 'And what do you think yourself of this man, Lewis?' 'I can hardly say. He has shown himself my enemy, and, of course, I cannot like him.' 'But as to suspecting him?' 'Oh dear no! I suspect no one.' 'Not one of the servants? Rebecca, for instance?' 'No. I haven't any inkling whatever as to who committed the crime.' 'Well, I suppose I must leave you. I will do whatever is in my power for your deliverance, not merely from danger, but from disgrace, and if I fail I will never venture in your sight again.' CHAPTER XII. THE C.C.R. The Court for Crown Cases Reserved is a modern institution, whose workings are not always quite understood by the public. In every case which is tried before a jury there are two questions to be decided. The first is whether the evidence produced by the plaintiff alone is sufficient in point of law to justify a verdict. The second is whether the balance of evidence at the end of the trial is in favour of the plaintiff or the defendant. The first of these questions is for the judge, the second for the jury. From the verdict of the jury there is, strictly speaking, no appeal. From the decision of the judge an appeal may be carried right up to the House of Lords. But in criminal cases, where the Queen is treated as plaintiff, there was anciently no such method of reviewing the judge's decision. Now a special court has been established, embracing all the common law judges of the High Court, who sit in a body to decide these questions. It was to this tribunal that Tressamer had intended to resort.