am I innocent. Of course the truth will be known some day."

"I'm not so sure of that, Mr. Finn."

"It will certainly be known some day. That it should not be known
as yet is my misfortune. But in defending me I would have you hurl
defiance at my accusers. I had the stick in my pocket,--having
heretofore been concerned with ruffians in the street. I did quarrel
with the man, having been insulted by him at the club. The coat which
I wore was such as they say. But does that make a murderer of me?"

"Somebody did the deed, and that somebody could probably say all that
you say."

"No, sir;--he, when he is known, will be found to have been skulking
in the streets; he will have thrown away his weapon; he will have
been secret in his movements; he will have hidden his face, and have
been a murderer in more than the deed. When they came to me in the
morning did it seem to them that I was a murderer? Has my life been
like that? They who have really known me cannot believe that I have
been guilty. They who have not known me, and do believe, will live to
learn their error."

He then sat down and listened patiently while the old lawyer
described to him the nature of the case,--wherein lay his danger, and
wherein what hope there was of safety. There was no evidence against
him other than circumstantial evidence, and both judges and jury
were wont to be unwilling to accept such, when uncorroborated, as
sufficient in cases of life and death. Unfortunately, in this case
the circumstantial evidence was very strong against him. But, on the
other hand, his character, as to which men of great mark would speak
with enthusiasm, would be made to stand very high. "I would not have
it made to stand higher than it is," said Phineas. As to the opinion
of the world afterwards, Mr. Chaffanbrass went on to say, of that he
must take his chance. But surely he himself might fight better for it
living than any friend could do for him after his death. "You must
believe me in this, Mr. Finn, that a verdict of acquittal from the
jury is the one object that we must have before us."

"The one object that I shall have before me is the verdict of the
public," said Phineas. "I am treated with so much injustice in being
thought a murderer that they can hardly add anything to it by hanging
me."

When Mr. Chaffanbrass left the prison he walked back with Mr.
Wickerby to the attorney's chambers in Hatton Garden, and he lingered
for awhile on the Viaduct ex