"Later on, my friend Cain," said the major, grimly. "You will have quite enough to do to save your neck from the halter."
"I am afraid so, indeed, major, therefore I must have assistance. There is nothing like being provided in time with counsel for the defense; therefore, I must ask Mr. David Sarby to defend me from these absurd charges."
"I!" cried David, starting up with pale cheeks. "I defend you!"
"Assuredly," replied Etwald, fixing a piercing glance on the young man. "Do you refuse?"
"Of course he does," cried Jen, wrathfully.
David raised his head and looked at the major, at the doctor, at the inspector.
"No," he said in a firm voice to all three. "I accept. I shall defend Max Etwald."
[CHAPTER XXI.]
A NINE DAYS' WONDER.
Great was the astonishment throughout the neighborhood when it became known that Dr. Etwald, the clever physician of Deanminster, had been arrested on a double charge of murder and theft of a dead body. Those who did not like him--and they were the majority--rejoiced openly that the assassin of Maurice Alymer had been found in Etwald's person; but there were some that regretted that so brilliant a man should be consigned to a felon's cell, and--possibly in the hereafter--to a felon's doom. But whatever opinions, for or against the prisoner, were held by the good people of Deanminster and the surrounding neighborhood, there was no doubt of one thing: The trial of Max Etwald at the assizes would be the great sensation of the year.