The Devil's Advocate by Fred M. White

In the eyes of Hitherfield it seemed that Richard Farrell was a real friend to David Macrae. It was understood that he had taken up the case con amore, and without the slightest expectation of ever being rewarded for his services. This was admirable enough from the point of view of the average lawyer, who rarely works for nothing, but in addition to this everybody knew that Farrell had been very much in love with Philippa Goldfinch before the advent of Macrae, and therefore the lawyer was accorded a meed of praise that he hardly deserved. He could do with it because of late his reputation was going steadily downhill, and the staid inhabitants of Hitherfield were beginning to look askance at him. Racing and billiard playing in second-class hotels cannot be carried on in a small select town like Hitherfield without comment, and this Farrell was finding out to his cost.

But now that the tide of public opinion was slightly turning in his favor, and the name of Macrae was prominently mentioned, it seemed to him that his chance had come. He might yet be able to turn round and drag his reputation out of the fire. A brilliant defence of Macrae with a final proof of his innocence would go far to give him back his lost practice, but on the other hand this would mean the end of his secret hopes so far as Philippa was concerned. For the trouble that had come on David had set all the old flame burning, and if the slur remained then he might win Philippa yet. Therefore it seemed the proper thing to assume a tremendous zeal for Macrae and to shout his innocence on the housetops.