"I am here to lay before you certain information,
by which I shall convince you Alan had no hand whatever in the
killing of Glenure."
The Advocate appeared for a moment at a stick, sitting with pursed
lips, and blinking his eyes upon me like an angry cat. "Mr.
Balfour," he said at last, "I tell you pointedly you go an ill way
for your own interests."
"My lord," I said, "I am as free of the charge of considering my
own interests in this matter as your lordship. As God judges me, I
have but the one design, and that is to see justice executed and
the innocent go clear. If in pursuit of that I come to fall under
your lordship's displeasure, I must bear it as I may."
At this he rose from his chair, lit a second candle, and for a
while gazed upon me steadily. I was surprised to see a great
change of gravity fallen upon his face, and I could have almost
thought he was a little pale.
"You are either very simple, or extremely the reverse, and I see
that I must deal with you more confidentially," says he. "This is
a political case--ah, yes, Mr. Balfour! whether we like it or no,
the case is political--and I tremble when I think what issues may
depend from it.
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