“I do not know that I blame him, if he was obliged to say what he did in the court; but it has placed me in a very awkward position. I could not walk on the same side of the street with him without exciting remark.” “For this reason Dick has kept away from you, refusing even to see you.” “Do you think he wants to see me?” “Of course he does.” “Why is he so fearful, then, of what people will say?” “He is not, on his own account; only on yours.” “He is very considerate,” replied Julia, rather ironically. “He has too much regard for you even to subject you to any annoyance. For other reasons, too, he would keep away from you at the present time. He is to be examined to-morrow.” “Eugene, can it be possible that we have been deceived in Dick?” asked Julia, with a look of painful anxiety on her pale face. “No, it is not possible. I can never doubt Dick again. If the charge against him is proved to my satisfaction, I must believe it.” “The evidence is very strong--is it not?” “Yes, that cannot be denied. Just now, it is a question of veracity between Dick and Dr. Bilks, so far as we are concerned. If you believe one, you cannot believe the other. The doctor has sworn that he saw Dick on the Point Road that night; and Dick has sworn that he was at home, and in his own room.” “What do you think, Eugene?” “I do not know what to think, Julia. Since you have been sick, I have hardly given the matter a moment’s reflection. I have hoped that, by some means, both their statements might be reconciled; but this is not possible.” “Perhaps it may be yet; for I cannot believe that either of them would perjure himself.” “One thing is evident, Julia: either Dr. Bilks or Dick Birch is a most consummate scoundrel.” “It would be terrible to believe that either was such. I cannot think that Dr. Bilks would be so base, so vile, as to swear falsely.” “Can you believe that Dick would be?” asked Eugene, warmly. “I cannot; but the evidence is very strong against him, and there is none at all against the doctor.” “If Dr. Bilks can explain where he was on the night of the murder, and show me how the letter found upon Buckstone’s body happened to be written on his paper, I could not reasonably doubt his truthfulness.” “He says Dick wrote the letter in his office; and he explains where he was that night.” “So he does; but when we want Sandy McGuire and his wife, his two witnesses, they are gone. The doctor drew five thousand dollars about this time, which, no doubt, went into Sandy’s pocket; for that is the sum I offered the wretch for telling the truth.” “Perhaps he can explain all this.” “Until he does, I shall have my doubts.” “Think what the doctor has done for me!” exclaimed Julia. “I do think of it; and I am as grateful to him as you can be, Julia; but justice must be blind.” “Poor Dick! I am afraid----”