"And--if I may ask the question--" pursued Reuben anxiously, "do you
find it possible to conceive that I may really be innocent?"

"Certainly I do," Thorndyke replied, on which I observed Mr. Lawley's
eyebrows rise perceptibly. "I am a man of facts, not an advocate, and
if I found it impossible to entertain the hypothesis of your innocence,
I should not be willing to expend time and energy in searching for
evidence to prove it. Nevertheless," he continued, seeing the light of
hope break out on the face of the unfortunate young man, "I must impress
upon you that the case presents enormous difficulties and that we must
be prepared to find them insuperable in spite of all our efforts."

"I expect nothing but a conviction," replied Reuben in a calm and
resolute voice, "and can face it like a man if only you do not take my
guilt for granted, but give me a chance, no matter how small, of making
a defence."

"Everything shall be done that I am capable of doing," said Thorndyke;
"that I can promise you. The long odds against us are themselves a spur
to endeavour, as far as I am concerned. And now, let me ask you, have
you any cuts or scratches on your fingers?"

Reuben Hornby held out both his hands for my colleague's inspection, and
I noticed that they were powerful and shapely, like the hands of a
skilled craftsman, though faultlessly kept. Thorndyke set on the table a
large condenser such as is used for microscopic work, and taking his
client's hand, brought the bright spot of light to bear on each finger
in succession, examining their tips and the parts around the nails with
the aid of a pocket lens.