k array of learned counsel who
had been fighting with all their strength to win the case of their
clients did not seem to be particularly distressed at the reverse that
they had suffered, but chatted away gaily as they tied up their papers
with scraps of red tape. She did not, perhaps, quite realize that,
having done their best and earned their little fees, they did not feel
called on to be heart-broken because the Court declined to take the view
they were paid to support. But it was a very different matter with
Messrs. Addison and Roscoe, who had just seen two millions of money slip
from their avaricious grasp. They were rich men already; but that fact
did not gild the pill, for the possession of money does not detract from
the desire for the acquisition of more. Mr. Addison was purple with fury,
and Mr. Roscoe hid his saturnine face in his hands and groaned. Just then
the Attorney-General rose, and seeing James Short coming forward to speak
to his clients, stopped him, and shook hands with him warmly.

"Let me congratulate you, my dear fellow," he said. "I never saw a case
better done. It was a perfect pleasure to me, and I am very glad that the
Judge thought fit to compliment you--a most unusual thing, by-the-way. I
can only say that I hope that I may have the pleasure of having you as my
junior sometimes in the future. By-the-way, if you have no other
engagement I wish that you would call round at my chambers to-morrow
about twelve."

Mr. Addison, who was close by, overheard this little speech, and a new
light broke upon him. With a bound he plunged between James and the
Attorney-General.

"I see what it is now," he said, in a voice shaking with wrath, "I've
been sold! I am a victim to collusion. You've had five hundred of my
money, confound you!" he shouted, almost shaking his fist in the face of
his learned and dignified adviser; "and now you are congratulating this
man!" and he pointed his finger at James. "You've been bribed to betray
me, Sir. You are a rascal! yes, a rascal!"

At this point the learned Attorney-General, forgetting his learning and
the exceeding augustness of his position, actually reverted to those
first principles of human nature of which the Judge had spoken, and
doubled his fist. Indeed, had not Mr. News, utterly aghast at such a
sight, rushed up and dragged his infuriated client back, there is no
knowing what scandalous thing might not have happened.

But somehow he was got rid of, and