Page:Henry Northcote (IA henrynorthcote00snairich).pdf/73

 IX

THE BRIEF WITHDRAWN

"Waiter!" called the solicitor at this point. "More coffee, if you please. Let it be hot and strong." Turning to Northcote, he added: "Our minds have grown so subtle with that claret we've got to find out where we are."

"Narcotics are not usually the friends of truth," said his companion.

"My worthy Samuel Taylor," laughed the solicitor, "I hope you will not forget I want to get to Norbiton to-night."

"There is one other point," said the young man imperturbably, "on which I wish to render myself clear."

Mr. Whitcomb permitted himself a shrug of unmistakable expostulation.

"What, another!" he muttered under his breath. "This fellow is the devil!"

"I do not propose to take the line of insanity."

Northcote spoke with a quietness which seemed to deepen the reverberation of Mr. Whitcomb's subsequent exclamation.

"Then you hang her!"

"On the contrary," said Northcote, "I promise an acquittal."

For a moment the solicitor was robbed of speech by this extraordinary announcement.

"Upon my word," he exclaimed, with a more