Then he referred to her dreadful situation.
‘I needn’t tell you, Eleanor, that as your counsel you must confide in me fully. I have heard the story so far as it is public, and up to now I may tell you that, as a matter of law, you are in no real danger.’
Eleanor stared at him.
‘In no danger? What do you mean? Is the murderer discovered?’
‘No, and never may be. But neither is the body.’
‘Why, what difference does that make?’
‘Don’t you know?’ answered the barrister. ‘I thought most people knew that till the body was discovered no one could be convicted of murder.’
A ray of hope shone out in the prisoner’s face.
‘Then do you mean that Miss Lewis may be alive still?’ she asked quickly.
‘No, no. Nobody doubts that she is dead, nor that someone has killed her. But the point is this, that you cannot be legally tried and convicted. The body has disappeared.’