in.

CHAPTER V

AN HIGH LOOK AND A PROUD HEART

Here is a note, gentlemen, on its way to a lady, I have set it out now,
that you may be wiser than she--by some twenty-four hours. Such as it
is, I like my lookers-on to see the best of the game.

_Rome,
14th November._

_MY DEAR VALERIE,_

_I observe from your letter that you have lost faith in the man you
love. Now, although I know him not, I trust him implicitly. I do not
care what has happened. Shall I tell you why? Because I know that you
would never have put your trust in him had he been unworthy._

_Love plays such queer tricks with its victims, making the fearless
timorous, the proud lowly, the trusting doubtful. Who was it coined
that mischievous phrase, "Too good to be true"? He has much to answer
for. Nothing is too good to be true. Not even the love of a man for a
maid, Valerie. You found it so good that you were thoroughly prepared
to find it false. And the moment you saw the clouds, you believed the
sun to be dead. That is heathenish and the way of the people who
imagine a vain thing._

_His explanation will shame you, of course; but take the lesson to
heart._

_Your affectionate uncle,
JOHN FOREST._

* * * * *

The Assize Court was crowded. Even upon the Bench there was little
room to spare; and when the High Sheriff disappeared to return a moment
later with two ladies, the Judge's clerk eyed the new-comers with
something of that impotent indignation with which a first-class
passenger regards the violation of his state by belated individuals
whose possession of first-class tickets is highly dubious.

The calendar contained no case of unusual interest, but the Red Judge
comes to Brooch but three times a year, and the old market-town makes
the most of its gaol deliveries.

At the moment of the ladies' entering, Mr. Albert Morgan was in charge
of the jury, and the twelve gentlemen were in course of hearkening to
evidence which suggested with painful clarity that the prisoner's sins
of commission included that of felony. That Mr. Morgan had been caught
red-handed had not prevented the rogue from pleading "Not guilty." He
had stood in docks before now. Besides, enough money had been found to
instruct a member of the Bar--if not a solicitor--to argue his impudent
case....

"Anthony Lyveden," said counsel for the Crown.

"Anthony Lyveden!" cried the constable-usher.

"Anthony Lyve