der suspicious circumstances, we are helpless. She might have done
the deed and still Paul might have to be hanged."

"But, father!" cried the girl, and there was a wail of agony in her
voice.

"Oh, do not fear, my child, the thing shall be tested. Everything
shall be sifted to the very bottom. No stone shall be left unturned, I
can assure you of that!"

Again the judge sat for a long time thinking. Presently he started to
his feet. "Mary, you're a clever girl!" he said. "And it seems to me
that if Paul's life is saved, we shall owe everything to you!
But--but---- Go to bed, my child, my brain is weary now, as yours must
be. Let us try and get a little sleep. To-morrow we can act."

The following morning, when the two met again, there was a new light in
Judge Bolitho's eyes, a ring of determination in his voice. His step
was firm, and his whole demeanour suggested an eagerness which for a
long time had been absent.

"I ought to go to Manchester this morning," he said. "You see, my
position is very peculiar. But I shall not go, no matter what happens!"

"You believe there's something in what I told you?" and her voice was
almost hoarse with eagerness.

"There may be something in it," was his reply. "If--if----"

"What?" asked Mary.

"Paul's fate will be decided to-day," replied the judge, and his voice
trembled. "Bakewell finished last night--of course, you have read the
newspapers?--and this morning Paul will speak in his own defence.
Perhaps that will take nearly the whole morning. Then Branscombe will
sum up."

"And you believe----?" cried the girl.

"From what I can see of Branscombe's questions, I should say it is his
opinion that Paul is guilty."

"But it will depend upon the jury!" cried the girl.

"Juries are influenced by the judge's summing-up."

"Oh, if--if----!" cried Mary.

"Yes, I see what is in your mind; but nothing can happen in time to
influence the finding of the jury. You must not build upon that. But
all hope is not lost yet, Mary. We will not give up until the last
moment."

That morning Judge Bolitho's mode of action was not easily to be
explained. He went to all sorts of strange and unthought-of places,
and made many inquiries which, from the standpoint of the casual
observer, were utterly irrelevant to the purpose he had in mind.
Still, he kept on his way, asking his questions, keeping his own
counsel. He visited Paul's factory, asked many questions of the