unspeakable relief, Mrs. Hornby was not. My veneration for that lady's
moral qualities was excessive, but her conversation drove me to the
verge of insanity--an insanity not entirely free from homicidal
tendencies.

"It is good of you to come--though I thought you would," Miss Gibson
said impulsively, as we shook hands. "You have been so sympathetic and
human--both you and Dr. Thorndyke--so free from professional stiffness.
My aunt went off to see Mr. Lawley directly we got Walter's telegram."

"I am sorry for her," I said (and was on the point of adding "and him,"
but fortunately a glimmer of sense restrained me); "she will find him
dry enough."

"Yes; I dislike him extremely. Do you know that he had the impudence to
advise Reuben to plead 'guilty'?"

"He told us he had done so, and got a well-deserved snubbing from
Thorndyke for his pains."

"I am so glad," exclaimed Miss Gibson viciously. "But tell me what has
happened. Walter simply said 'Transferred to higher court,' which we
agreed was to mean, 'Committed for trial.' Has the defence failed? And
where is Reuben?"

"The defence is reserved. Dr. Thorndyke considered it almost certain
that the case would be sent for trial, and that being so, decided that
it was essential to keep the prosecution in the dark as to the line of
defence. You see, if the police knew what the defence was to be they
could revise their own plans accordingly."