Part 33 (1/2)

The next thing that Mr. Larmer had to do was to retain counsel, and he determined to secure as big a man as possible to conduct the defence.

The case had a.s.sumed greater importance than would attach to an ordinary a.s.sault upon a wife by her husband. It was magnified by the surrounding circ.u.mstances, so that the interest felt in it was legitimate enough, apart from the spurious notoriety which had been added to it. Alan's literary fame had grown considerably within the last year, and his friends had been terribly shocked by the first bald statement that he had stabbed his unfortunate wife in a fit of rage.

They had begun by refusing to believe it, then they trusted that he would be able to prove his innocence, but by this time many of his warmest admirers were a.s.suring each other that, ”after all, the artistic merit of a poem never did and never would depend upon the moral character of the poet.” They hoped for the best, but were quite prepared for the worst, and thus they looked forward to the trial with an anxiety not unmingled with curious antic.i.p.ation.

The indirect connection of Lettice Campion with a case of this kind was another intelligible reason for the concern of the respectable public.

Lettice's name was in everybody's mouth, as that of the young novelist who had made such a brilliant success at the outset of her career, and all who happened to know how she had been mixed up at an earlier stage in the quarrel between Walcott and his wife, were wondering if she would put in an appearance, willingly or unwillingly, at the Central Criminal Court.

Mr. Larmer clearly saw that the business was sufficiently important to justify the intervention of the most eminent counsel. As he was running over the list and balancing the virtues of different men for an occasion of this sort, his eye fell on the name of Sydney Campion. He started, and sank back in his chair to meditate.

The idea of having Mr. Campion to defend a man with whom his sister's name had been unjustly a.s.sociated was a bold one, and it had not occurred to him before. Was there any reason against it? What more natural than that this rising pleader should come into court for the special purpose of safeguarding the interests of Miss Campion? The prosecution would not hesitate to introduce her name if they thought it would do them any good--especially as they would have the contingency of the divorce case in their minds; and Campion was just the man to nip any attempt of that kind in the bud. At all events, the judge was more likely to listen to him on such a point than to anyone else. But would not the practice and etiquette of the bar put it absolutely out of the question.

The thing was worth considering--worth talking over with Campion himself. So Mr. Larmer put on his hat at once, and went over to the Temple.

”I have come to see you on a rather delicate matter,” he said, by way of introduction, ”as you will understand if you happen to have seen my name in connection with the Walcott a.s.sault case. There are sundry matters involved which make it difficult to keep the case within its proper limits, and I thought that an informal consultation on the subject, before I proceed to retain counsel, might facilitate matters.”

”Perhaps it might; but I hardly see how I can help you.”

”Well, it occurred to me that if you were in court during the trial, you would have the opportunity of checking anything that might arise of an irrelevant character--any references----”

”And what do you propose?” said Sydney, interrupting.

”It would be hard that we should be prevented from putting our case in the hands of such counsel as we consider best calculated to bring it to a successful issue. If there is no strong personal reason against it, but on the other hand (as it seems to me) an adequate reason in its favor, I trust that you will allow me to send you a brief.”

”Let me ask you--did you come to me in any sense at the instance of your client?” said Sydney, suspiciously.

”By no means. Mr. Walcott does not know I have thought of you in connection with his defence.”

”Nor at the instance of another?”

”Certainly not. It is entirely my own idea.”

Sydney looked relieved. He could not ask outright if there had been any communication with his sister, but that was what he was thinking about.

”I hope we may rely upon you,” said Mr. Larmer.

”I don't know. I am not sure that you can. This is, as you said, a perfectly informal conversation, and I may frankly tell you that what you ask is out of the question. I hope you will think no more about it.”

Mr. Larmer was troubled.

”It seemed to me, Mr. Campion, that the idea would commend itself at once. I fear you did not quite take my meaning when I spoke of possible side issues and irrelevant questions which might arise during the trial?”

”Surely I did. You meant that counsel for the prosecution might think to advance his cause by referring to other proceedings, past or future, and might even go so far as to name a lady who has been most wantonly and cruelly maligned by one of the parties to this case?”

”Exactly. You use the very words in regard to it which I would have used myself. That is a contingency, I imagine, which you would strongly desire to avoid.”

”So strongly do I desire it, that you would not be surprised if I had already taken measures with that end in view.”

”Decidedly not. But it will be only natural that the prosecution should try and damage Walcott as much as possible--showing the motive he would have for getting rid of his wife, and, going into the details of their former quarrels. The question is whether any man can be expected, in doing this, to abstain from mentioning the names of third parties.”

”Has it never occurred to you, Mr. Larmer, that there is one way, and only one way, in which I could certainly guarantees that the name of the lady in question should not be mentioned? Your plan, if you will excuse my saying so, is clumsy and liable to fail. Mine is perfectly secure against failure, and perhaps a little more congenial.”