And another line of thought influenced Charlton.

The world needed his services.

What advantage would there be in throwing away the chances of a lifetime on a punctilio?
Why might he not let the serviceable lawyer do as he pleased?
Conger was the keeper of his own conscience, and would not be either more or less honest at heart for what he did or did not do.

All the kingdoms of the earth could not have tempted Charlton to serve himself by another man's perjury.

But liberty on one hand and State's-prison on the other, was a dreadful alternative.