"What he has to do is to inspire the judge and jury with a similar conviction."
"But he is helpless. He is an ignorant man and has no one to defend him. That's what I want you to do--I want you to defend him."
"Me! Miss Arnott!" Mr Stacey put up his glasses the better to enable him to survey this astonishing young woman. He smiled benignly. "I may as well confess, since we are on the subject of confessions"--they were not, but that was by the way--"that there are one or two remarks which I should like to make to you, since you have been so kind as to ask me to pay you this flying visit; but, before coming to them, let us first finish with Mr Baker. Had you done me the honour to hint at the subject on which you wished to consult me, I should at once have informed you that I am no better qualified to deal with it than you are. We--that is the firm with which I am associated--do no criminal business; we never have done, and, I think I am safe in assuring you, we never shall do. May I ask if you propose to defray any expenses which may be incurred on Mr Baker's behalf? or is he prepared to be his own chancellor of the exchequer?"
"He has no money; he is a gamekeeper on a pound a week. I am willing to pay anything, I don't care what."
"Then, in that case, the matter is simplicity itself. Before I go I will give you the name of a gentleman whose reputation in the conduct of criminal cases is second to none; but I warn you that you may find him an expensive luxury."
"I don't care how much it costs."
Mr Stacey paused before he spoke again; he pressed the tips of his fingers together; he surveyed the lady through his glasses.
"Miss Arnott, will you permit me to speak to you quite frankly?"
"Of course, that's what I want you to do."
"Then take my very strong advice and don't have anything to do with Mr Baker. Don't interfere between him and the course of justice, don't intrude yourself in the matter at all. Keep yourself rigidly outside it."