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 XXVI

THE PLEA

Northcote lunched with Mr. Whitcomb in a secluded place, where he partook of a concoction of egg and sherry, and two Abernethy biscuits. The solicitor's attitude towards him had already changed. The fact that he had adhered to his refusal to call witnesses for the defence was allowed to pass, because he had been able to show that after all he was entitled to hold ideas of his own on the conduct of the case. His remarkable essay in cross-examination had restored the solicitor's self-esteem; the dark horse he had chosen was not going to prove so unworthy after all.

"Of course you have got the judge dead against you now," said the solicitor, "and I don't quite see what it is going to do for you; but as far as it went it was very well done. I can't think how you came to put all those questions. Where did you get your information? It was not on your brief."

"Never mind where I got it," said Northcote, with a laugh.

His composure was much greater than when his client had conversed with him in the court.

"If only the whole case were not so dead it might have proved enormously useful," said the solicitor. "Yes, it was very well done."

"Would you say that Tobin would have done it better?" said the young man, with an odd smile.