It is a certainty." The magistrate looked at Anstey inquiringly, whereupon the barrister rose.

"We reserve our defence, your worship." The magistrate then, in the same placid, business-like manner, committed the prisoner for trial at the Central Criminal Court, refusing to accept bail for his appearance, and, as Reuben was led forth from the dock, the next case was called.
By special favour of the authorities, Reuben was to be allowed to make his journey to Holloway in a cab, thus escaping the horrors of the filthy and verminous prison van, and while this was being procured, his friends were permitted to wish him farewell.
"This is a hard experience, Hornby," said Thorndyke, when we three were, for a few moments, left apart from the others; and as he spoke the warmth of a really sympathetic nature broke through his habitual impassivity.

"But be of good cheer; I have convinced myself of your innocence and have good hopes of convincing the world--though this is for your private ear, you understand, to be mentioned to no one." Reuben wrung the hand of this "friend in need," but was unable, for the moment, to speak; and, as his self-control was evidently strained to the breaking point, Thorndyke, with a man's natural instinct, wished him a hasty good-bye, and passing his hand through my arm, turned away.
"I wish it had been possible to save the poor fellow from this delay, and especially from the degradation of being locked up in a jail," he exclaimed regretfully as we walked down the street.
"There is surely no degradation in being merely accused of a crime," I answered, without much conviction, however.

"It may happen to the best of us; and he is still an innocent man in the eyes of the law." "That, my dear Jervis, you know, as well as I do, to be mere casuistry," he rejoined.

"The law professes to regard the unconvicted man as innocent; but how does it treat him?
You heard how the magistrate addressed our friend; outside the court he would have called him _Mr_.
Hornby.