was gathering. It was late before the suit known as _Wilson vs.
Peterkin_ was called, and later still when Harold took the stand.

White and trembling, so that both his hands and his knees were shaking
visibly, he seemed more like a criminal than a witness, he was so
agitated and pre-occupied, too, it would seem, for at first his answers
were given at random, as if he hardly knew what he was saying; nor did
he, for over and beyond the sea of long faces confronting him, Judge St.
Claire's wondering and curious--Billy's wondering, too--Wilson's
disappointed and surprised, and Peterkin's threatening and exultant by
turns--he saw only Jerrie coming to him in the lane and asking him to
keep the diamonds for her--saw her, too, away back years ago up in the
little low room, with her fever-stained cheeks and shorn head, talking
the strangest things of prisons, and substitutes, and accessories, and
assuring some one that she would never tell, and was going for him, if
necessary.

Who was that man? Where was he now? and why had he imposed this terrible
secret upon Jerrie?

These were the thoughts crowding through his brain while he was being
questioned as to what he knew of the agreement between the plaintiff and
defendant while in the office of the latter. Once a thought of Maude
crossed his mind with a keen pang of regret, as he remembered the lovely
face which had smiled so fondly upon him, mistaking his meaning utterly,
and appropriating to herself the love he was trying to tell her was
another's. And with thoughts of Maude there came a thought of Arthur,
the very first which Harold had given him, Arthur, the crazy man, who
himself had hidden the diamonds and for whom Jerrie was ready to
sacrifice so much. It was clear as daylight to him now, the anxiety and
stain were over, and those who were watching him so intently as he gave
his answers at random, with the sweat pouring like rain down his face,
were electrified at the start he gave as he came to himself and realized
for the first time where he was, and why he was there. Arthur would
never see Jerrie wronged. _She_ was safe, and with this load lifted from
him, he gave his whole attention to the business on hand, answering the
questions now clearly and distinctly.

When at last the lawyer said to him, 'Repeat what you can remember of
the conversation which took place between the plaintiff and the
defendant on the morning of ----, 18--,' he gave one sorry look at poor
B