There was a great deal of laughing and sly joking about Dr. Bilks’s baby, in the vicinity of the court-house, and the expression was destined to become a by-word throughout the county, though as yet no one knew what it meant. Hungerford had ridden over to Summerville in his buggy, and while Dick went for the team, Eugene paid a brief visit to Ross in his cell. He spoke words of comfort and consolation to him, and promised to provide the best lawyer in the state for his defence when the trial took place. Ross was cheerful, and had no fears, except in relation to Mary; but Eugene told him that Julia had spent the afternoon of the previous day with her, and assured him she should not want for friends. Dick came with the team, and Hungerford took leave of the prisoner, promising to see him frequently. The relations between our “Damon and Pythias” were now fully and completely restored. If possible, the sympathy and confidence of each were increased, though Dick was still firm in his purpose not to visit Pine Hill, or see Julia for the present. “Now, Dick, what induced you to grind Dr. Bilks so unmercifully when he was on the stand?” asked Hungerford, as he drove away from the jail. “Before I answer the question, what was your impression of him?” “If it had been any other man, I should have said he was lying.” “But, as it was Dr. Bilks, you think he was not lying.” “On the contrary, I think he was, though I should not care to say so of him in so many words.” “I think that was the general impression,” replied Dick, quietly. “In a word, you meant to make it appear that the baby was a myth?” “Precisely so. He was not called from his office at eleven o’clock; he was not in his office at eleven o’clock; he did not go to any house beyond the Point; and no baby was born under his charge that night.” “You are very positive.” “No, I am not; in fact, I know nothing at all about the business, except that which I derived from what the doctor did say, and what he didn’t say. In a word, I know no more of where he was, or what he was about, at the time mentioned, than you do.” “But you certainly had some reason for driving him to the wall as you did; of twisting him down till the cold sweat ran out of him.” “I did have a reason. When I went into your library last night, and found you there with Dr. Bilks, I knew, before you told me, of what you had been speaking. He suggested things to you of which you would never have thought without help. I didn’t like the looks of Dr. Bilks last night. He seemed to be stepping between you and me. He had a hang-dog look that was suspicious.” “I didn’t notice it.” “I saw him wince once or twice, when certain things were said. This forenoon I went to see Ross. It was Dr. Bilks who gave him the idea that I was the person on the island with Buckstone.” “But after what you had said to him, it was not strange that he should think so.” “It was strange to me.” “But he mentioned my name to Ross first.”