The Advocate's Wife by Norman Russell Page A

andexecuted by James Mounteagle, a member of that most deadly of all species, a brilliant accountant with a criminal mind.’
    ‘And you will send him down for life, sir.’
    ‘Ah, but will I? You know how the substitution works. Enterprises of impeccable pedigree are infiltrated and destroyed, and their assets moved to secret locations. It has been continuing , despite Mounteagle’s arrest and detention, which means that others have been trained in the special techniques of deceit, and set to work. It’s a great, amorphous plan, Lardner, and Mounteagle’s only a part of it…. But come! To work!’ The two men turned their attention to a collection of folders arrayed on a great mahogany table, and worked in silence for some time. Then Lardner spoke.
    ‘Sir?’
    Sir William had donned small wire spectacles to read the documents spread out before him. He peered over them at his secretary.
    ‘Yes, Lardner, what is it?’
    ‘Well, Sir William, it’s just that I can see ramifications arising from this brief that could be dangerous. To you personally, I mean. Have you considered such a contingency? Mounteagle…. Well, you said yourself that he’s only part of it.’
    Sir William put the folder that he was reading aside, and gave the secretary his full attention.
    ‘When this case comes up for trial at the end of the month, Sir William, it will be a cause célèbre. It will, I venture to say, be the crowning achievement of your many years at the Bar. I may say, too, that you have tied up Mounteagle so thoroughly and ingeniously in this submission that, despite your suggestion to the contrary, he will assuredly go down for life.’
    Sir William smiled, and relaxed deeper into his great padded chair as the secretary continued.
    ‘Now, sir, when you secure the downfall of Mounteagle, there will be other fruit on the tree ripe for plucking. In the normal way of things the police will sweep many of the lesser lights into their bag. But one of these people – the man behind Mounteagle, I mean – is no petty minion. I am referring to Gideon Raikes.’
    ‘Excellent!’ cried Sir William. ‘I thought that’s where yourthoughts were leading! Very well. We’ll name names. Mr Gideon Raikes, as you know, is a respected financier, the amateur of Art, the chairman of This, and the patron of That. He is also a villain of the first water, a damned scoundrel. If I destroy Mounteagle, there will be an almighty crash, and very soon afterwards, Lardner, your precious Gideon Raikes will come tumbling down. And England will be well rid of him!’
    The secretary leaned forward in his chair.
    ‘I must ask your pardon, sir, but you seem not to have understood me. I spoke of danger to you personally. Mr Fetlock rushed round here while you were absent, to tell me the verdict in Regina versus Davidson. Raikes will see the conviction of Albert John Davidson as a personal threat to himself, and to his safety. Society is still mesmerized by him, but a further blow of great magnitude, such as the conviction of Mounteagle, will open Society’s eyes, and send Raikes reeling.’
    ‘Excellent!’ cried Porteous again. ‘Really, Lardner, you renew my optimism. Raikes is more than a great criminal; he bears a personal animus against me, for reasons best forgotten, but real enough—’
    ‘Well, there you are, Sir William! This man is your implacable foe, and his safety is threatened. What if something were to happen to you before Mounteagle comes to trial?’
    Sir William was silent for a few moments. Then he stood up, struck a favourite courtroom pose, and delivered himself of a short speech. The professional habits of a lifetime made him reply to Lardner in this way. But for all that his words were sincere enough.
    ‘My dear Lardner,’ he said, ‘I must thank you – and thank you most sincerely – for your solicitude. It does you credit, and I shall not forget it. But a Queen’s Counsel must operate without favour, and without fear. I am