"This is a bad business, Mr. Wallingford," he said, on meeting the
lawyer--"a very bad business; and I have sent for you as a
professional gentleman of standing and ability, in order to have a
consultation in regard to my position--in fact, to place myself
wholly in your hands. I must have the best counsel, and therefore
take the earliest opportunity to secure your valuable services. Will
you undertake my case?"
"That will depend, Mr. Dewey," was answered, "entirely upon how it
stands. If you are falsely accused, and can demonstrate to me your
innocence, I will defend you to the utmost of my ability, battling
your accusers to the last. But if, on the contrary, you cannot show
clean hands, I am not the one to undertake your case."
Dewey looked at Mr. Wallingford strangely. He scarcely comprehended
him.
"I may have committed mistakes; all men are liable to error," he
replied.
"Mistake is one thing, Mr. Dewey, and may be explained; fraud is
another thing, and cannot be explained to mean any thing else. What
I want you to understand, distinctly, is this: If your connection
with the Clinton Bank has been, from the beginning, just and
honorable, however much it may now seem to be otherwise, I will
undertake your case, and conduct it, I care not through how great
difficulties, to a favorable issue.
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