The Washington times., 1923-03-07
CHAPTER LXXXVI.

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Mottisfont, amazed as he was,
received this piece Of news with,
an absolutely unmoved face. He
made no comment whatever.
Simply acknowledging the infor-
nation, he left the station, hailed
a taxi, and drove to the offices
of Langley & Langley, the solicit
tors who had acted with him in
the case of the Tallbois claim.
He was welcomed eagerly by
Mr.. Langley, whose sympathy
was very real and intense; he
had the highest regard for Philip.
Langley had already heard of the
tragedy, and had been expect
ing him. Philip laid the facts
before him. Cold and self-con-
tanned as Langley was, for once
he showed keen emotion. He
promised gladly to act as solicit
tor. They discussed the conduct
of the case. 1t was certain that
a committal for trial was inev-
table; the defense must be re-
served.
"Mottisfont," said Langley very
gravely, Il know your wife, and
need not tell you that / believe
her innocent. can believe
nothing else of her. Yet you'll
think me no croaker when 1
point out that the task is stu
pendous. Circumstance has WOW
en- deadly web about her.
"She is the dispossessed claim
ant of the estates Lady Tallbois
holds, and so, presumably, was
her enemy. l mark that from
the jury's point of view. The
loss of the necklace, the accusa-
ton, the poisoning (which can
not be denied Of Lady Tallbois,
all lead logically to one deadly
conclusion. Then there is this
lace is a sham. That is only an
added difficulty, a fresh danger!
The prosecution will try to con-
vince the jury that the pearls
have been disposed of-and you
yourself admit having received
100000. From whom? An un-
known benefactor, whom YOU
cannot call as. a witness! Here
is a sharp weapon for the other
side, Mottisfont."
II recognize that" said Philip
quietly.
Then the poisoning. 1t seems
almost impossible to prove that
it was done by any other hand
than-the prisoners. The defend
ing counsel will have such
task, in the absence of that
proof, as has never come within
my experience. 1t needs a genius
and even then 1 fear that he
will fail. Whom shall we brief?"
IT." said Philip, shall lead for
the defense of my wife,
Langley, frankly staggered,
looked at him in amazement.
Your he cried, think of the
risk, think Of the difficulty, in
your position!'
II will take the risk" said
Mottisfont. II will intrust no
other man with the defense of
my wife's honor"
Langley rose and paced the
room. His nerve seemed shaken.
You, the counsel for the de-
fense-and they will place you in
the witness box besides"' he NUT
tered. well, there is no legal
objection to it, of course" His
brow grew damp as he looked
searchingly at Philip. "She will
depend on you alone. 1 would
not place myself in such a posi-
ton, Mottisfont, for anything on
earth"
Philip made no answer. He re-
turned Langley's gaze steadily.
so be it them" said Langley,
drawing deep breath. Il will
go forward. at once, and work on
the lines you have laid down.
But there is one thing more,
Mottisfont, which, after all you
have told me, stands out as clear
ly as a beacon"
He laid a finger on Philips
sleeve.
"You yourself" he said, may
be brought in as an accessory.
You may be arrested, if the
authorities see fit, at any mo-
ment."
II know that" he said. II
have sensed it, both at Bow street
and at the yard"
well, them" said Langley.
breathlessly.
my wife and / are one" said
Philip. "In that case, I will de-
fend us both"
II cannot understand your atti-
tude, chief" said Vaille impa-
tiently, whether by luck or iudg.
ment. or both, the thing has gone
superbly for us! Agnes has long
been out of danger, we are on the
very eve of this trial, and the
Mottisfonts-are finished"
These two partners-there were
no others present-Were sitting,
not at their headquarters, but in
a rather barely furnished and
windOwless little room lit only by
an oil lamp.
You talk like a fool, Vaille,"
said Mr.. Callaghan, gloomily,
you do not see beyond your nose.
I regret bitterly having started
this affair at all. would give
half our gains to be clear of it.
The Mottisfonts are up against it
with a HnnRaa ~.