“Why do you hesitate, Leslie?” said Avice, her troubled eyes looking from one man to the other.
“Shall I be frank?” began Hoyt, slowly.
“It isn’t necessary,” said Landon; “I know what you mean. You think it will be a hard matter, if not an impossible one, to clear me.”
“I don’t mean quite that,” and Hoyt’s fine face clouded. “Yes, Landon, I’ll take the case, if you desire it.”
And so Kane Landon had a clever, shrewd and capable lawyer to defend him. Avice had great faith in Leslie Hoyt’s genius, though she had feared the two men were not very friendly.
She took occasion later, on the way home, to thank Hoyt for his willingness in the matter.
“I’m sure you’ll get him off,” she said, hopefully.
Hoyt looked grave. “You’re mistaken, Avice; I can’t get him off.”
“What! You mean he’ll be convicted!”
“How can he help but be? I can’t perform miracles. But I might make a more desperate effort than a stranger. That’s all I can promise.”