"Is there to be no defence, then?"
"Certainly there will be a defence, and such a defence as I think will prevent any jury from being unanimous in convicting my client. Though there is a great deal of evidence against him, it is all—what we call circumstantial."
"I understand, Mr. Wickerby."
"Nobody saw him commit the murder."
"Indeed no," said Madame Goesler.
"Although there is personal similarity, there is no personal identity. There is no positive proof of anything illegal on his part, or of anything that would have been suspicious had no murder been committed,—such as the purchase of poison, or carrying of a revolver. The life-preserver, had no such instrument been unfortunately used, might have been regarded as a thing of custom."
"But I am sure that that Bohemian did murder Mr. Bonteen," said Madame Goesler, with enthusiasm.
"Madame," said Mr. Wickerby, holding up both his hands, "I can only wish that you could be upon the jury."
"And you won't try to show that the other man might have done it?"
"I think not. Next to an alibi that breaks down;—you know what an alibi is, Madame Goesler?"