idea of what
_duces tecum_ meant, he had no intention of disclosing the fact.

"It's important," continued the clerk. "Be sure and attend to the
matter at once."

"Lave that to me!" Mike assured him.

"Don't forget that it's a _duces tecum_," admonished the clerk as
Mike passed out of the door.

"Not on yer life!" replied the newly appointed deputy.

Outside, he found a fellow deputy, also newly appointed.

"Pat," said Mike, holding out the subpoena, "phat is the meanin'
o' thim two wurrds?"

His friend carefully examined the paper.

"'_Duces tecum_'," he repeated thoughtfully. "'_Dooces taycum_.'
They be Latin words meanin' 'take him alive or dead.'"

"Thanks," said Mike. "Trust me!"

And he started forthwith for Wall Street, where Mr. Winthrop Van
Rennsellaer's office was located. Having ascertained by inquiry
that his quarry was in, Mike pushed by the clerks and scriveners
in the outer offices and armed with the majesty of the law, boldly
forced his way into the lawyer's sanctum. Marching up to him, he
demanded in a loud voice:

"Are you Van Rennsellaer?"

The lawyer, exceedingly astonished, replied, with what dignity he
was able to assume under the circumstances;

"I am Mister Winthrop Van Rennsellaer."

"Come wid me!" ordered Mike.

"I shall do nothing of the kind!" retorted the lawyer, getting red
in the face.

"Y' won't, eh?" exclaimed the deputy; and, grasping Mr. Winthrop
Van Rennsellaer by his linen collar, he yanked him out of his chair
and, to the horror of the servile supernumeraries in the lawyer's
employ, dragged that eminent member of the bar through his own
offices, down the stairs, and into the street.

The lawyer protested loudly at the indignities to which he was
being subjected and a large crowd gathered, which for the time
being blocked Broadway. Mike, confident that he had the authority
of the United States Government behind him, exhibited his badge,
called upon the police to assist him in the exercise of his duty
and proceeded triumphantly to march Mr. Winthrop Van Rennsellaer,
hatless, up the street at the head of a large and enthusiastic
procession of interested citizens. From time to time Mike would
turn and call upon the crowd to disperse, at the same time announcing
in a loud voice that he had arrested his prisoner by an order of
the Government to take him alive or dead.

By this time the lawyer's little round head was glowing a bright
red and his legs almost