"I think there is other ways for Albert to get out of it," said the representative of the Vacuum method in commerce and morals. "I see no way except to back out or sell out; no other honorable way," persisted the lawyer. "Suppose he should arrange the machinery so it would bust up or smash up, what would the consequences be?" "If negligently, carelessly, not purposely done, he would be only civilly liable for damages caused by his negligence; but if it was wilfully done, there would be a further criminal liability for malicious injury to the property of the company." "You wouldn't want me, would you," said the poor man to his late employer and friend, "to do anything to lay myself liable?" "You have been police justice," said the Vacuum man to the lawyer, "and have had some experience in criminal law. I would like to have you look up the law carefully on that point, and we will see you again."[461] Or, in effect: "See about how much crime we can commit," District Attorney Quinby paraphrased it afterwards to the jury. In a day or so the two managers of the Vacuum--father and son--came back again with Albert. "Have you looked up that matter, Mr. Truesdale?" asked they. "Yes, I have looked it up." "What do you think about it?" "My impression has not changed. Such a course would involve him in a criminal liability if he did it on purpose. Everybody who advised or counselled him in such a course would be equally liable with him. The consequences, if you follow that course, would be that you would get into State's prison. If he is an honest man he won't think of taking any such action as that. I advise him to keep out of any such thing." "Such things will have to be found out before they can be punished," was the Vacuum reply. "They will have to find him before they can do anything to him. We will take care of him." "Having in mind," said District Attorney Quinby to the jury, "what happened afterwards--that they should spirit him away." "The suggestion is altogether wrong," persisted the lawyer. "The action would certainly be very hazardous as well as wrong." On leaving, the elder of the two, evidently persisting in his plan, said to the lawyer, "If you want to communicate with Albert, you can do so through C.M."[462]--his son. These men were too careless to note that the lawyer they were talking to was not their lawyer, but Albert's. When they were brought to trial for the crime that followed, and Albert, repentant, told the truth, the lawyer was free to testify against them. "I am entirely willing," said Albert in court, "that Mr. George Truesdale shall state what took place. I withdraw any legal objections I might have."