, and had noted by the significant glance that he bestowed
on me that he had not failed to observe the peculiarity in the type.
Indeed the matter was presently put beyond all doubt, for he hastily
passed to me a scrap of paper, on which I found, when I opened it out,
that he had written "X = W.H."

As Anstey handed the rather questionable document up to the judge, I
glanced at Walter Hornby and observed him to flush angrily, though he
strove to appear calm and unconcerned, and the look that he directed at
his aunt was very much the reverse of benevolent.

"Is this the paper?" asked the judge, passing it down to the witness.

"Yes, your worship," answered Mrs. Hornby, in a tremulous voice;
whereupon the document was returned to the judge, who proceeded to
compare it with his notes.

"I shall order this document to be impounded," said he sternly, after
making a brief comparison. "There has been a distinct attempt to tamper
with witnesses. Proceed with your case, Mr. Anstey."

There was a brief pause, during which Mrs. Hornby tottered across the
court and resumed her seat, gasping with excitement and relief; then the
usher called out--

"John Evelyn Thorndyke!"

"Thank God!" exclaimed Juliet, clasping her hands. "Oh! will he be able
to save Reuben? Do you think he will, Dr. Jervis?"

"There is someone who thinks he will," I replied, glancing towards
Polton, who, clasping in his arms the mysterious box and holding on to
the microscope case, gazed at his master with a smile of ecstasy.
"Polton has more faith than you have, Miss Gibson."

"Yes, the dear, faithful little man!" she rejoined. "Well, we shall know
the worst very soon now, at any rate."

"The worst or the best," I said. "We are now going to hear what the
defence really is."

"God grant that it may be a good defence," she exclaimed in a low voice;
and I--though not ordinarily a religious man--murmured "Amen!"

CHAPTER XVI

THORNDYKE PLAYS HIS CARD

As Thorndyke took his place in the box I looked at him with a sense of
unreasonable surprise, feeling that I had never before fully realised
what manner of man my friend was as to his externals. I had often noted
the quiet strength of his face, its infinite intelligence, its
attractiveness and magnetism; but I had never before appreciated what
now impressed me most: that Thorndyke was actually the handsomest man I
had ever seen. He was dressed simply, his appearance unaided by the
flowing gown o