That it had made an altogether greater impression upon the latter than I had expected, gave me additional courage when I came to discuss this new line of defence with the young lawyer.

I was even able to tell him that, to all appearance, my long silence on a point so favourable to my own interests had not militated against me to the extent one would expect from men so alive to the subterfuges and plausible inventions of suspected criminals.
"Chief Hudson believes me, late as my statement is.

I saw it in his eye." Thus I went on.

"And the assistant district attorney, too.

At least, the latter is willing to give me the benefit of the doubt, which was more than I expected.