So for years these two men had fought a silent but bitter duel in which principle on the one side and attempted corruption on the other were the gauge of battle.

Judge Rossmore fought with the weapons which his oath and the law directed him to use, Ryder with the only weapons he understood--bribery and trickery.

And each time it had been Rossmore who had emerged triumphant.

Despite every manoeuvre Ryder's experience could suggest, notwithstanding every card that could be played to undermine his credit and reputation, Judge Rossmore stood higher in the country's confidence than when he was first appointed.
So when Ryder found he could not corrupt this honest judge with gold, he decided to destroy him with calumny.

He realized that the sordid methods which had succeeded with other judges would never prevail with Rossmore, so he plotted to take away from this man the one thing he cherished most--his honour.