"Hilary interceded for
him."
"Hilary?"
"You didn't know it? I thought not. Well, he did."
"Why, he always pretended to want him to be convicted."
"Cunning Hilary!" said I.
"He used to speak most strongly against him."
"That was his guile," said I.
"Oh, but why in the world--?" she began; then she paused, and
went on again: "It was nothing to do with Hilary."
"Hilary went with me to see him, you know, while they had him
under lock and key at the firm's offices."
"Did he? I never heard that."
"And he was much impressed with his bearing."
"Well, I suppose, Mr. Carter, that if he was really penitent--"
"Never saw a man less penitent," I interrupted. "He gloried in
his crime; if I remember his exact expression, it was that the
jam was jolly well worth the powder, and if they liked to send
him to chokee they could and be--and suffer accordingly, you
know."
"And after that, Hilary--!"
"Oh, anybody can impose on Hilary, you know. Hilary only asked
what the jam was."
"It's a horrid expression, but I suppose it meant acting the part
of a gentleman, didn't it?"
"Not entirely. According to what he told Hilary, Johnny was in
love."
"Oh, and he stole for some wretched--?"
"Now do be careful.
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