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212 Moulder being as certain of an acquittal. At first Moulder had been very unwilling to associate with Dockwrath; for he was a man who maintained his animosities long within his breast; but Dockwrath on this occasion was a great man, and there was some slight reflection of greatness on the associates of Dockwrath; it was only by the assistance of Dockwrath that a place could be obtained within the court, and, upon the whole, it became evident to Moulder that during such a crisis as this the society of Dockwrath must be endured.

'They can't do anything to one if one do one's best?' said Kenneby, who was sitting apart from the table while the others were eating.

'It aint what they do, but what they say,' said Moulder; 'and then everybody is looking at you. I remember a case when I was young on the road; it was at Nottingham. There had been some sugars delivered, and the rats had got at it. I'm blessed if they didn't ask me backwards and forwards so often that I forgot whether they was seconds or thirds, though I'd sold the goods myself. And then the lawyer said he'd have me prosecuted for perjury. Well, I was frightened, I could not stand in the box. I aint so green now by a good deal.'

'I'm sure you're not, Mr. Moulder,' said Bridget, who well understood the class to which Moulder belonged.

'After that I met that lawyer in the street, and was ashamed to look him in the face. I'm blessed if he didn't come up and shake hands with me, and tell me that he knew all along that his client hadn't a leg to stand on. Now I call that beautiful.'

'Beautiful!' said Kenneby.

'Yes, I do. He fought that battle just as if he was sure of winning, though he knew he was going to lose. Give me the man that can fight a losing battle. Anybody can play whist with four by honours in his own hand.'

'I don't object to four by honours either,' said Dockwrath; 'and that's the game we are going to play to-morrow.'

'And lose the rubber after all,' said Moulder.

'No, I'm blessed if we do, Mr. Moulder. If I know anything of my own profession'

'Humph!' ejaculated Moulder.

'And I shouldn't be here in such a case as this if I didn't;—but if I do, Lady Mason has no more chance of escape than—than—than that bit muffin has.' And as he spoke the savoury morsel in question disappeared from the fingers of the commercial traveller.

For a moment or two Moulder could not answer him. The portion of food in question was the last on his plate; it had been con-