Page:Orley Farm (Serial Volume 16).pdf/26

172 And then the special attributes of Kenneby and Bridget Bolster were discussed between them, and it was manifest that Aram knew with great accuracy the characters of the persons with whom he had to deal. That Kenneby might be made to say almost anything was taken for granted. With him there would be very great scope for that peculiar skill with which Mr. Chaffanbrass was so wonderfully gifted. In the hands of Mr. Chaffanbrass it was not improbable that Kenneby might be made to swear that he had signed two, three, four—any number of documents on that fourteenth of July, although he had before sworn that he had only signed one. Mr. Chaffanbrass indeed might probably make him say anything that he pleased. Had Kenneby been unsupported the case would have been made safe,—so said Mr. Solomon Aram,—by leaving Kenneby in the hands of Mr. Chaffanbrass. But then Bridget Bolster was supposed to be a witness of altogether a different class of character. To induce her to say exactly the reverse of that which she intended to say might, no doubt, be within the power of man. Mr. Aram thought that it would be within the power of Mr. Chaffanbrass. He thought, however, that it would as certainly be beyond the power of Mr. Furnival; and when the great man lying on the sofa mentioned the name of Mr. Felix Graham, Mr. Aram merely smiled. The question with him was this:—Which would be the safest course?—to make quite sure of Kenneby by leaving him with Chaffanbrass; or to go for the double stake by handing Kenneby over to Mr. Furnival and leaving the task of difficulty to the great master?

'When so much depends upon it, I do detest all this etiquette and precedence,' said Aram with enthusiasm. 'In such a case Mr. Furnival ought not to think of himself.'

'My dear Aram,' said Mr. Chaffanbrass, 'men always think of themselves first. And if we were to go out of the usual course, do you conceive that the gentlemen on the other side would fail to notice it?'

'Which shall it be then?'

'I'm quite indifferent. If the memory of either of these two persons is doubtful,—and after twenty years it may be so,—Mr. Furnival will discover it.'

'Then on the whole I'm disposed to think that I'd let him take the man.'

'Just as you please, Aram. That is, if he's satisfied also.'

'I'm not going to have my client overthrown, you know,' said Aram. 'And then you'll take Dockwrath also, of course. I don't now that it will have much effect upon the case, but I shall like to see Dockwrath in your hands; I shall indeed.'

'I doubt he'll be too many for me.'

'Ha, ha, ha!' Aram might well laugh; for when had any