"What chance have you of that?"
"The testimony of Ralph Harding——"
"What!" exclaimed Squire Marlowe, rising in great agitation. "Where is Ralph Harding?"
"Here!" was the unexpected reply, and Uncle Jacob entered the room, accompanied by Bert and Mr. Harding.
Albert Marlowe turned his gaze from one to another in ill-concealed dismay.
"What is the meaning of this?" he asked, hoarsely. "Have you been hatching up a plot against me?"
"No," answered Uncle Jacob with dignity. "It is our object to relieve John Barton from the stigma upon his fair name. In doing so it may be necessary to fasten the crime upon the guilty party. Who that is, you know as well as I do."
"No one will credit the testimony of that man!" said the squire, pointing scornfully at Ralph Harding.
"Don't be too sure of that! His story is plain and straightforward, and I think it will impress the court that way."
"Albert has been urging me to escape," said John Barton. "He has set the officers on my track."