"
"But how, then, in Heaven's name, is our innocence to be proved,
sir?" I asked.
"In the first place," said the lawyer, "by finding Mr. James
Smith; and, in the second place, by persuading him, when he is
found, to come forward and declare himself."
"Do you really believe, sir," said I, "that he would hesitate to
do that, when he knows the horrible charge to which his
disappearance has exposed his wife? He is a heartless villain, I
know; but surely--"
"I don't suppose," said the lawyer, cutting me short, "that he is
quite scoundrel enough to decline coming forward, supposing he
ran no risk by doing so. But remember that he has placed himself
in a position to be tried for bigamy, and that he believes your
mistress will put the law in force against him."
I had forgotten that circumstance. My heart sank within me when
it was recalled to my memory, and I could say nothing more.
"It is a very serious thing," the lawyer went on--"it is a
downright offense against the law of the land to make any private
offer of a compromise to this man. Knowing what we know, our duty
as good citizens is to give such information as may bring him to
trial. I tell you plainly that, if I did not stand toward your
mistress in the position of a relation as well as a legal
adviser, I should think twice about running the risk--the very
serious risk--on which I am now about to venture for her sake.
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