“‘I dare say you are right in regard to the up-hill part, but as to my being a lawyer, I make no pretensions in that line—I merely wish to serve my friend; but let that pass, and tell me what is this new evidence which you say has been resurrected.’
“‘Have you not heard it?’
“‘Not from a source entitled to much credit. I want to hear it from you.’
“‘Another witness—a respectable gentleman—will swear that he met Miss Bramlett at Ben Bowles’ private apartment late at night about ten days before her brother was murdered.’
“‘The man who swears that will commit perjury, and shall be punished for it.’
“‘I must be permitted to remind you that Miss Tadpoddle will also swear that Viola was there.’
“‘I never shall believe she will swear it until I hear her do it with my own ears.’
“‘She told me she would, and you may depend on her doing it; and the worst of it is, she will swear that she heard Miss Bramlett ask Bowles how much strychnine it would take to produce death. Oh, Lottie, what will be your fate if Viola should be found guilty? It makes me tremble to think of the awful consequences of such an unfortunate event—it would ruin all of us.’
“‘Eddie, don’t be alarmed; remember the old adage, “Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” It will be time enough to lament the catastrophe when it occurs.’
“‘True enough, but I should like to see the man who never dreaded approaching evil.’