He had a law-case before him as full of the elements of romance as any that he had ever been engaged in.

A defrauded inventor, living in the forest in poverty, having escaped from the insane ward of an alms-house, and the real owner of patent rights that were a mine of wealth to the man who believed that death had blotted out all the evidences of his villainy--this was quite enough to excite his professional interest, even had he been unacquainted with the man defrauded.

But the position of this uncomplaining, dependent man, who could not fight his own battles, made an irresistible appeal to his sense of justice and his manhood.
The moment, however, that the lawyer proposed to assist in righting the wrong, Mr.Benedict became dangerously excited.

He could tell his story, but the thought of going out into the world again, and, particularly of engaging in a conflict with Robert Belcher, was one that he could not entertain.

He was happier in the woods than he had been for many years.
The life was gradually strengthening him.