Great was the throughout the neighborhood when it became known that Dr. Etwald, the clever physician of Deanminster, had been arrested on a double charge of murder and theft of a dead body. Those who did not like him--and they were the majority--rejoiced openly that the assassin of Maurice Alymer had been found in Etwald's person; but there were some that regretted that so brilliant a man should be to a felon's cell, and--possibly in the hereafter--to a felon's . But whatever opinions, for or against the prisoner, were held by the good people of Deanminster and the surrounding neighborhood, there was no doubt of one thing: The trial of Max Etwald at the assizes would be the great sensation of the year.  
Major Jen worked hard to evidence against the prisoner, and David Sarby worked just as hard to obtain materials for the . The attitude taken up by the young barrister astonished everybody and was universally . That he--who might almost be called the brother of the dead man--should defend the assassin of such brother was almost incredible of belief. People were astonished and angered by the very idea, and when that idea became known to be an actual fact the conduct of David was of on every side. Only one man said nothing, and that man was the very person who had the best right to speak. While all talked, Major Jen remained silent. His on the subject caused almost as much scandal as David's conduct.
 
Yet Jen knew what he was about, and he was merely in accordance with an agreement he had made with Sarby. After that interview in the library, when Etwald was accused and arrested, Arkel took away his prisoner in by of the warrant, and left Major Jen alone with the counsel for the defense. The assassin--so-called--and Arkel left the room; they left the house. When the sound of Etwald's carriage--for he went to Deanminster jail in his own brougham--had died away in the distance, Jen, who had hitherto kept silence, raised his head and looked at David.
 
"Well, sir!" he said in an icy tone to his adopted son, "I am waiting for you to explain this very extraordinary conduct."
 
David replied in equally as cold a manner.
 
"Major Jen, I have no explanation to give you."
 
"What!" cried his , rising. "Do you dare to sit there and tell me that you are a , a coward, and an ungrateful man?"
 
"A traitor?" echoed David, with a flush rising in his pale cheeks.
 
"Yes, sir. A traitor to your foster-brother, who was your rival. It is because Maurice loved the woman who hates you that you act the unworthy part of defending his murderer."
 
"Very good, major; I understand why I am a traitor. But a coward?"
 
"You are a coward in submitting yourself to the influence of this base assassin," cried Jen, by the calmness of the young man. "And as an ungrateful man--do you want an explanation of that term?--you whom I have loved and brought up as my own son?"
 
"No. I can understand your anger from your point of view."
 
"My point of view! My point of view!" raged Jen, stamping. "From the point of view of the world, sir! What will everyone say when they learn that you intend to defend Etwald?"
 
"They will say almost as cruel things as you have said," returned David, still composed. "But I do not care for the opinion of the public. I act according to the of my own conscience."
 
Jen drew back and stared at the young man in angry surprise.
 
"Your own conscience!" he repeated, in . "How can you talk in that manner? What excuse can you--"
 
"I have an excellent excuse," interrupted David, rising.
 
"What is it, if I may be so bold as to ask?"
 
"I refuse to tell you--at present."
 
"Indeed! And am I ever to learn the reason of your extraordinary behavior?"
 
David considered.
 
"Yes, major," said he at length. "You shall learn my reason--at the trial."
 
"At the trial?"
 
"I shall explain it when I make my speech for the defense."
 
"What do you mean?" cried Jen, his curiosity getting the better of his anger. "Is it possible that you believe in the of this man?"
 
"As counsel for the defense you can hardly expect me to answer that."
 
"As your adopted father, I demand an answer."
 
"You shall have it, sir--at the trial."
 
The and marvelous composure of the young man were not without their due effect on Major Jen. He drew back, and after a few moments' consideration, he in all seriousness.
 
"David," said he, quietly, "there is something very extraordinary in your behavior, and you refuse to give me your reasons therefor. If I wait until the trial, will you explain?"
 
"Yes. I have already told you so. In my speech for the defense you will be satisfied that I have good cause to act as I am doing."
 
"Very good," said Jen, calmly. "Then I shall say nothing to any one about your very curious behavior. I shall work hard to secure the of this scoundrel. You can do your best to save him. But against you, or for you, I shall not open my mouth. At the trial I shall expect an explanation."
 
"You shall have it."
 
"But," added Jen, raising his head, "as until that explanation we are enemies--although not openly so--I shall require you to leave my house."
 
"I expected that you would do so," rejoined David, bowing his head. "Indeed, you can act in no other way. To-day I shall take in Deanminster and wait for the trial. I shall defend Etwald to the best of my ability, and then you can decide whether I am fit to re-enter this house."
 
"I can't understand you, sir," said Jen, with a sigh. "Whatever your reasons may be, I feel sure that I shall not approve of them."
 
"You approved of my reasons before, major. You shall approve of them again. In the meantime, until the trial, let us remain strangers."
 
He bowed, and without offering his hand--which it is very ............