a conviction, of course, but we don't throw obstacles in the way of the
defence. You know that perfectly well."

"Of course I do, my dear sir," replied Thorndyke, shaking the official
by the hand. "Haven't I benefited by your help a score of times? But I
am greatly obliged all the same. Good-bye."

"Good-bye, doctor. I wish you luck, though I fear you will find it 'no
go' this time."

"We shall see," replied Thorndyke, and with a friendly wave of the hand
to the inspector he caught up the two cases and led the way out of the
building.




CHAPTER IV

CONFIDENCES


During our walk home my friend was unusually thoughtful and silent, and
his face bore a look of concentration under which I thought I could
detect, in spite of his habitually impassive expression, a certain
suppressed excitement of a not entirely unpleasurable kind. I forbore,
however, from making any remarks or asking questions, not only because I
saw that he was preoccupied, but also because, from my knowledge of the
man, I judged that he would consider it his duty to keep his own counsel
and to make no unnecessary confidences even to me.