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The Two Lawyers: A Novel

The Trial

The Trial.

The sitting of the Supreme Court, as it so happened, was just on after Hobart's committal, so there was but little delay, page 269and at last the day arrived. Both Mr Parks and Mr Torridge were intent upon having nothing short of justice.

The evidence of Mary Torridge having been taken, her father was examined, to show it was useless to wait to subpœna the officiating minister, as he was long since dead. After this had been accepted by the Court, Hobart addressed his Honour and asked for dismissal, on the ground that no sufficient evidence had been adduced, as there was nothing to corroborate what the first witness had sworn to save the certificate, which he stated was not admissible being only documentary.

"But," said the Crown Solicitor, "we have another witness. Call Matthew Grant!"

"Matthew Grant!" muttered Hobart, and for some time he seemed completely cast down. His determination to brazen it out, however, returned, and after Matthew had given his evidence, which was but a corroboration of May Torridge's—or, as she should be called, Mary Hobart,—he addressed Grant as follows:—

"You were, I believe, a life transport, and but only recently obtained your discharge through some doubt, or on account of your meritorious conduct."

"I was, through the instrumentality of your sister, convicted of a crime which I was afterwards proved innocent of by her death-bed confession."

At this a murmur of approbation ran through the Court, which was silenced, and proceedings went on.

"I can, your Honour," said Torridge, "confirm the words of the last witness."

"I am perfectly satisfied," said his Honour. "Is that your case?" he asked, turning to the Crown Prosecutor.

page 270

"Yes, your Honour."

"Then, prisoner, you may make your address to the jury."

John Hobart, in a bold manner, attempted to address the Court, but gradually his bravery forsook him, for he saw the jury were against him. His principal defence was that as he had never lived with or been with his wife after their marriage, he argued that it was not binding on him; and with a few more remarks, which were simply made to flatter the jury, he finished speaking.

The jury, on being asked if they wished to retire and consider their verdict, the foreman said: "We are unanimous in our verdict, and consequently there is no necessity for retiring."

"Say then, gentlemen of the jury, do you find the prisoner, John Hobart, guilty or not guilty?"

"Guilty," was the answer, given in a clear ringing voice, and there was again a murmur of satisfaction in the Court.

"Then," said his Honour, "it only remains for me to pass sentence; and I must say I never presided on any case where there was more clear and conclusive evidence of a prisoner's guilt. Yet you, prisoner, after all the wrong you and yours have done the unfortunate witness Grant, would try and injure him further by maligning or casting a doubt even now on his character. A more hardened piece of villainy than this I never witnessed. Apart from the fact of the charge, in which I thoroughly concur with the gentlemen of the jury, you have been a member of the Bar, a profession which should be honour itself. I have one little satisfaction, if I may so term it, and that is that no longer where the British flag flies will you again disgrace a profession, the integrity of which should never be impugned. The sentence of this Court is that you be imprisoned in one of Her Majesty's gaols for five years, with hard labour, page 271and I regret that the law does not give me power to award to you greater punishment, for you undoubtedly deserve it."

"So Clara and her father are going to return to England," said Maud to her brother.

"Yes, I believe so," answered Frank, "the best possible thing for the poor old fellow. This place would only be full of reminiscences of misfortune."

The speakers were here interrupted by the servant entering to announce Mr Frierland.

"Well, Frank, I am the bearer of good news," said the new arrival. "Ah Miss Perryman, I beg your pardon, my anxiety for your brother made me overlook your presence."

"Pray do not mention it. Tell us your news, unless, indeed I am not to hear it, in which case I will retire, although I like to share my brother's good news if I may."

"I think there is not any occasion for you to leave, eh, Frank?"

"I know of none," was the answer.

"Well then, the affairs of the late mercantile firm have been gone through—a splendid scheme by the way; this Fixer must have been a born genius. The examination shows that the venture is good and sound, and all has been arranged. Messrs Drons & Son, the original owners of this land which has caused so much trouble are now, for a small consideration in addition to the thousand already received, prepared to take it back, and an order will soon be issued from the Supreme Court sanctioning the arrangement, so I will be the first, I am happy to say, to congratulate you on your return to prosperity. By the bye, page 272do you remember my advice to you about this Hobart? Now will you say phrenology is not to be considered?"

"Never again," said Frank; "but you know when I took him as a partner I was but young in the business, and I overlooked all else when I considered how essential his more matured knowledge would be."

"Say no more now, Frank; it might have turned out worse than it has, that's certain."

The afternoon of the same day Frank and Louie, quite by accident of course, met in the library, where she had gone for some book. She looked now bright and happy, for the honour and wealth of the house of Perryman had been saved, and she was in high glee.

"Ah, Louie," said Frank, "you remember I took from you a loan, which I am pleased to say I am in a position to repay, and as to interest, what shall I give you for interest."

"I shall take neither principle nor interest," she replied, half pouting, for she liked not his reference to money matters so soon after what had passed between them.

"Do not look cross, Louie, for I had more to say, but now you frighten me. Shall I speak on or no?"

"Speak! why, yes, Frank;" but I regret to say he again disappointed her, for instead of at once doing as she bid him, he took her in his arms, and with all the tenderness of his nature, whispered something which evidently atoned to some extent for his previous wrong doing. However, some half-hour later Louie ran to her room blushing with joy, and before the day was closed all knew there was to be a wedding in which Louie Branscombe and Frank Perryman were to take prominent parts.

And now, gentle reader, I have, much as I may regret it page 273to draw to a close, for there are many of the characters in this drama who have become real in lieu of imaginary ones to me, and I feel loth to part with them; but as the best of friends must separate sooner or later, so must we. I would prolong this story some few pages, but as I have only your approbation in view, I fear there would be a chance of my losing rather than gaining that were I to do so.

Frank and Louie were married some three months after their engagement, and a happier couple it would be hard to imagine. He often wondered why he had ever overlooked Louie as he had; but, as he said, he felt doubly happy now to know that Providence had so far watched over him in giving him one of the very best of wives. About six months after their nuptials there came by an American paper, a notice of the loss of the barque Homeward Bound. She had become a total wreck off the coast of California, and one extraordinary thing mentioned in connection with the affair was the remark of her owner, a gentleman by the name of Felix Fixer. In the coolest manner possible he exclaimed, as he stepped on board the rescuing boat, which was a trader from 'Frisco: "We brought nothing with us when we entered this world, and some of us have a very good show of having the same amount to take with us when we depart."

All hands were saved on board, but not an article of value except what the passengers wore.

"Well," said Louie, after Frank had read the account, "how like Mr Fixer to be sure. I think all was not bad of that man."

"Bad or no, little wife, his villainy, like that of most others, did him little good."

"True, Frank, there can be but one opinion, that the straight course is always the best."

Matthew Grant and Clara returned to England, where they page 274lived happy and contented. They often speak of their past troubles, and Matthew will sometimes remark:—

"For my part, child, I regret none of my misfortunes, for they taught me submission and my duty towards God and man."

Two years after his conviction, news came that Hobart had first gone mad, and had then, while unwatched one day, thrown himself down the prison well, and before he could be rescued he was no more. So the righteous prospered after many trials, and to the guilty the day of retribution came when they expected it not.

The End.