"What measure of conscience can a man have," Oliver Hilditch
argued blandly, "who pleads for the innocent and guilty alike
with the same simulated fervour? Confess, now, Mr. Ledsam--there
is no object in being hypocritical in this matter--have you not
often pleaded for the guilty as though you believed them
innocent?"
"That has sometimes been my duty," Francis acknowledged.
Hilditch laughed scornfully.
"It is all part of the great hypocrisy of society," he proclaimed.
"You have an extra glass of champagne for dinner at night and are
congratulated by your friends because you have helped some poor
devil to cheat the law, while all the time you know perfectly
well, and so do your high-minded friends, that your whole
attitude during those two hours of eloquence has been a lie.
That is what first attracted me to you, Mr. Ledsam."
"I am sorry to hear it," Francis commented coldly. "The ethics
of my profession--"
His host stopped him with a little wave of the hand.
"Spare me that," he begged. "While we are on the subject,
though, I have a question to ask you. My lawyer told me,
directly after he had briefed you, that, although it would make
no real difference to your pleading, it would be just as well for
me to keep up my bluff of being innocent, even in private
conversation with you.
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