Something seemed to be preoccupying him; he went to his chair in a mechanical way.
"I have come on rather serious business," Waymark began.

"I want to ask your advice in a very disagreeable matter--a criminal case, in fact." Abraham did not at once pay attention, but the last words presently had their effect, and he looked up with some surprise.
"What have you been up to ?" he asked, with rather a grim smile, leaning back and thrusting his hands in his pockets in the usual way.
"It only concerns myself indirectly.

It's all about a girl, who is charged with a theft she is perhaps quite innocent of.

If so, she is being made the victim of a conspiracy, or something of the kind.

She was remanded to-day at Westminster for a week." "A girl, eh?
And what's your interest in the business ?" "Well, if you don't mind I shall have to go a little into detail.