"They'll all be there, old man, and I shall make my exit with much
eclat, with pipe and dance and all the rest of it."
"Exit, be blowed!" said Dunn impatiently. "Let's cut all this nonsense
out. We're going into a fight for all there's in us. Why should a fellow
throw up the sponge after the first round?"
"Fight!" said Cameron gloomily. "Did old Rae say so?"
"Most decidedly."
"And what defence does he suggest?"
"Defence? Innocence, of course."
"Would to God I could back him up!" groaned Cameron.
Dunn gazed at him in dismay. "And can you not? You do not mean to tell
me you are guilty?"
"Oh, I wish to heaven I knew!" cried Cameron wildly. "But there, let it
go. Let the lawyers and the judge puzzle it out. 'Guilty or not guilty?'
'Hanged if I know, my lord. Looks like guilty, but don't see very well
how I can be.' That will bother old Rae some; it would bother Old Nick
himself. 'Did you forge this note?' 'My lord, my present ego recognizes
no intent to forge; my alter ego in vino may have done so. Of that,
however, I know nothing; it lies in that mysterious region of the
subconscious.' 'Are you, then, guilty?' 'Guilt, my lord, lies in intent.
Intent is the soul of crime.' It will be an interesting point for Mr.
Rae and his lordship."
"Look here, old chap," asked Dunn suddenly, "what of Potts in this
business?"
"Potts! Oh, hang it, Dunn, I can't drag Potts into this.
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