Moreover, the race is now extinct in the direct
succession. The title goes to a collateral branch."
Brett stroked his chin thoughtfully.
"It is certainly very strange," he murmured, "that the dry-as-dust
knowledge of some member of the College of Heralds should evolve these
armorial bearings with their weird significance. Does this account for
your allusion to the supernatural?"
"Partly. Do not forget my dream."
"Tell it to me."
"During the trials, my counsel, a very able man, by the way--you know him,
of course, Mr. Dobbie, K.C.--only referred to the fact that I dreamed my
cousin was in some mortal danger, and that my exclamation 'He is
murdered!' was really a startled comment on my part induced by the
butler's words. That is not correct. I never told Mr. Dobbie the details
of my dream, or vision."
"Oh, didn't you? Men have been hanged before to-day because they thought
they could construct a better line of defence than their counsel."
"I had nothing to defend. I was innocent. Moreover, I knew I should not be
convicted."
The barrister well remembered the view of the case taken by the Bar mess.
Even the redoubtable Dobbie was afraid of the jury. His face must have
conveyed dubiety with respect to Hume's last remark, for the other
continued eagerly:
"It is quite true. Wait until I have concluded.
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