ould be given for Madame
Goesler and the blacksmith to reach London from Prague.

If the matter was interesting to the public before, it became doubly
interesting now. It was of course known to everybody that Madame
Goesler had undertaken a journey to Bohemia,--and, as many supposed,
a roving tour through all the wilder parts of unknown Europe, Poland,
Hungary, and the Principalities for instance,--with the object of
looking for evidence to save the life of Phineas Finn; and grandly
romantic tales were told of her wit, her wealth, and her beauty. The
story was published of the Duke of Omnium's will, only not exactly
the true story. The late Duke had left her everything at his
disposal, and, it was hinted that they had been privately married
just before the Duke's death. Of course Madame Goesler became very
popular, and the blacksmith from Prague who had made the key was
expected with an enthusiasm which almost led to preparation for a
public reception.

And yet, let the blacksmith from Prague be ever so minute in his
evidence as to the key, let it be made as clear as running water that
Mealyus had caused to be constructed for him in Prague a key that
would open the door of the house in Northumberland Street, the facts
as proved at the trial would not be at all changed. The lawyers were
much at variance with their opinions on the matter, some thinking
that the judge had been altogether wrong in delaying his charge.
According to them he should not have allowed Mr. Chaffanbrass to have
read the telegram in Court. The charge should have been given, and
the sentence of the Court should have been pronounced if a verdict
of guilty were given. The Home Secretary should then have granted
a respite till the coming of the blacksmith, and have extended
this respite to a pardon, if advised that the circumstances of the
latch-key rendered doubtful the propriety of the verdict. Others,
however, maintained that in this way a grievous penalty would be
inflicted on a man who, by general consent, was now held to be
innocent. Not only would he, by such an arrangement of circumstances,
have been left for some prolonged period under the agony of a
condemnation, but, by the necessity of the case, he would lose his
seat for Tankerville. It would be imperative upon the House to
declare vacant by its own action a Seat held by a man condemned to
death for murder, and no pardon from the Queen or from the Home
Secretary would absolve the House f