'Go and talk to him, there's a good fellow,' said Dick to Robert Boulger. 'Cheer him up a bit.'
'Yes, of course I will. It's rot to make a fuss now that it's nearly over. Uncle Fred will be here himself in an hour.'
Dick looked at him without answering. When Robert had gone on to the balcony, he flung himself wearily in a chair.
'I couldn't stand it any longer,' he said. 'You can't imagine how awful it was to see that wretched man in the dock. He looked like a hunted beast, his face was all grey with fright, and once I caught his eyes. I shall never forget the look that was in them.'
'But I thought he was bearing it so well,' said Mrs. Crowley.
'You know, he's a man who's never looked the truth in the face. He never seemed to realise the gravity of the charges that were brought against him, and even when the magistrate refused to renew his bail, his confidence never deserted him. It was only to-day, when the whole thing was unrolled before him, that he appeared to understand. Oh, if you'd heard the evidence that was given! And then the pitiful spectacle of those two men trying to throw the blame on one another!'
A look of terror came into Mrs. Crowley's face.
'You don't think he's guilty?' she gasped.
Dick looked at her steadily, but did not answer.
'But Lucy's convinced that he'll be acquitted.'