“I think, sir, that we shall be able to prove that Mr. Henderson is innocent.”
At last, after all the weary waiting, the great day arrived. The Sessions had commenced at the Old Bailey. For two or three days prior to this, Godfrey had been busy with his solicitor and his counsel. It was not, however, until the afternoon before the commencement that he could elicit from Codey any information as to Burrell’s discoveries. Immediately he was ushered into the room where Codey was awaiting him, Godfrey saw from the expression upon the other’s face, that there was something to tell.
“You—have good news for me,” he said, as they shook hands.
“The very best of news,” Codey replied. “My dear sir, you may rest assured that your innocence is completely established. The whole plot has come to light, and, when we give the word, the authorities will be able to lay their hands upon the man who committed the deed.”
“But who is the man?” Godfrey hastened to ask, scarcely able to speak for excitement. His pulse was beating like a sledge hammer inside his head, until it seemed as if his brain must burst.
“Don’t ask me that now,” said Codey. “Put your trust in me until to-morrow. Then you shall know everything. Believe me, I have my own very good reasons for asking this favour of you. Rest assured of one thing; at latest the day after to-morrow you will be at liberty to go where and do what you please.”
“But why can not it be settled at once? Why must it be the day after to-morrow? It is cruel to keep me in suspense!”
“Don’t you understand that we can not bring forward our witnesses until the proper moment arrives?” said the lawyer. “The English law has its idiosyncrasies, and even in a case of life and death, the formalities must be observed. There is one thing, however, I can promise you; that is, that when the truth comes out, it will be admitted that such a sensation has not been caused in a Court of Justice before.”