Page:Orley Farm (Serial Volume 9).pdf/26

 the acquittal of an innocent person, or even of a guilty person, under ordinary circumstances; but if any man in England could secure the acquittal of a guilty person under extraordinary circumstances, it would be Mr. Chaffanbrass. This had been his special line of work for the last thirty years.

Mr. Chaffanbrass was a dirty little man; and when seen without his gown and wig, might at a first glance be thought insignificant. But he knew well how to hold his own in the world, and could maintain his opinion, unshaken, against all the judges in the land. 'Well, Furnival, and what can I do for you?' he said, as soon as the member for the Essex Marshes was seated opposite to him. 'It isn't often that the light of your countenance shines so far east as this. Somebody must be in trouble, I suppose?'

'Somebody is in trouble,' said Mr. Furnival; and then he began to tell his story. Mr. Chaffanbrass listened almost in silence throughout. Now and then he asked a question by a word or two, expressing no opinion whatever as he did so; but he was satisfied to leave the talking altogether in the hands of his visitor till the whole tale was told. 'Ah,' he said then, 'a clever woman!'

'An uncommonly sweet creature too,' said Mr. Furnival.

'I dare say,' said Mr. Chaffanbrass; and then there was a pause.

'And what can I do for you?' said Mr. Chaffanbrass.

'In the first place I should be very glad to have your advice; and then—. Of course I must lead in defending her,—unless it were well that I should put the case altogether in your hands.'

'Oh no! don't think of that. I couldn't give the time to it. My heart is not in it, as yours is. Where will it be?'

'At Alston, I suppose.'

'At the Spring assizes. That will be—. Let me see; about the 10th of March.'

'I should think we might get it postponed till the summer. Round is not at all hot about it.'

'Should we gain anything by that? If a prisoner be innocent why torment him by delay. He is tolerably sure of escape. If he be guilty, extension of time only brings out the facts the clearer. As far as my experience goes, the sooner a man is tried the better,—always.'

'And you would consent to hold a brief?'

'Under you? Well; yes. I don't mind it at Alston. Anything to oblige an old friend. I never was proud, you know.'

'And what do you think about it, Chaffanbrass?'

'Ah! that's the question.'

'She must be pulled through. Twenty years of possession! Think of that.'

'That's what Mason, the man down in Yorkshire, is thinking of. There's no doubt of course about that partnership deed?'