“But this is, my Lord!” said the Attorney-General, in a heated manner; “and for motives of delicacy we might not have used it, if not driven to this course by the insinuations of counsel. Here is a note in pencil, dated from the 'Pass of Ennismore,' and running thus: 'It looks badly; but I fear you have no other course than to arrest him. In fact, it is too late for anything else. Consult Malone and Meek.' And this can be proved to be in Mr. Linton's handwriting.”
Mr. Clare Jones did not speak a word as the note was handed up to the Bench, and then to the jury-box; he even affected to think it of no importance, and did not deign to examine it for himself.
“You may go down, Mr. Goring,” said he, after a slight pause, in which he appeared deliberating what course to follow.
Making his way to the side of the dock, Jones addressed himself to Cashel in a low, cautious voice:—
“It now remains with you, Mr. Cashel, to decide whether you will intrust me with the facts on which you ground your innocence, or prefer to see yourself overwhelmed by adverse testimony.”
Cashel made no reply, but leaned his head on his hand in deep thought
“Have you any witnesses to call?” whispered Jones. “Shall we try an alibi?”
Cashel did not answer.
“What is your defence, sir, in one word?” asked Jones, shortly.
“I am not guilty,” said Cashel, slowly; “but I do not expect others to believe me so.”