"I remember it very well indeed."
"That's fortunate. Because, on the present occasion, I'm going to outrage every standard of propriety which is supposed--professionally--to hedge me round. Now listen to me attentively; because I don't wish to use plainer speech than I can help; I don't want to dot my 'i's,' and I want you, at a hint from me, to read between the lines. This is a ticklish matter I'm going to talk about."
"I'm all attention."
"That's good; then here's what I've come to say."
CHAPTER XXIII
[THE TWO MEN]
Yet Mr Gilbert hesitated. He took his cigar from between his lips, carefully removed the ash, sipped at his coffee, and all the time kept his glance on Hugh Morice, as if he were desirous of gleaning from his face indications as to the exact line which his remarks should take. When he did speak he still continued to stare at his host.
"I have been retained to defend James Baker."
"James Baker?"
"The man who is to stand his trial for the murder in Cooper's Spinney."