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98 to ten o’clock this morning I had received no communication upon the matter.”

“Dear me! dear me! Then I suppose you want to confer with him here in court?”

“With your worship’s leave—”

“And mine!” said a hollow voice heard for the first time by every ear; it was that of the prisoner in the dock.

The effect was instantaneous; a volley of eyes hit the accused as one pair; but his own remained unshaken upon the raised eyebrows and creased forehead of the smart young solicitor secured by Daintree that morning.

“Do you object to being defended?” inquired this mercenary.

“Certainly; until I know by whom.”

“Indeed! Well, my name is Bassett. I am tolerably well known in this court—”

“That’s not what I mean, sir,” said Tom, respectfully. “Who has instructed you? That is what I want to know.”

“One who has taken your case and your interests to heart.”

“An anonymous friend?” And the prisoner’s voice trembled.

“Exactly.”

“Then I’ll take nothing from him. I know that friend! I know him!”

A policeman whispered to Bassett, who approached the dock and said in a lower and a friendlier voice, “You are quite mistaken. This is another gentleman altogether. He wishes you to have fair play.”

“Then let him give his name.”