"Fred—can I depend upon your friendship?"
"Of course you can. What's the row?"
"Have you ten pounds about you?"
"Yes—but what do you mean to do with them? Surely you are not going to make a blockhead of yourself by bolting?"
"No—no! give me the money—quick!"
"On your word of honour, Tom?"
"On my sacred word of honour!—That's a good fellow—thank you, Fred;" and Strachan pocketed the currency. "Now," said he, "I have just one other request to make."
"What's that?"
"Speak against time, there's a dear fellow! Spin out the case as long as you can, and don't let the jury retire for at least three quarters of an hour. I know you can do it better than any other man at the bar."
"Are you in earnest, Tom?"