. Instantly he stepped up beside me and tapping
me on the arm said in a low tone:

"Whom do you represent?"

I was somewhat taken aback by this inquiry, not seeing at the moment
its immediate relation to the business at hand, but for want of a
better answer I replied in the same spirit:

"Artemas Quibble."

"Oh! Quibble, eh! I've heard of him. But look here, my young
friend, there is no reason why honest men should cut one another's
throats. Tell my friend Quibble I was here before ye and keep this
for yourself."

And with that he peeled a twenty-dollar bill from the top of a
heavy roll that he produced from his pocket and placed it within
my palm.

"Very good," said I. "It may cost me dear if Quibble hears of it,
but a man must live, and I work at starvation wages."

I placed the bill in my breast pocket and made way for him to enter
the store, which he did without more ado. Why this busy gentleman
should gratuitously present me with twenty dollars did not at the
moment occur to me. I continued on my way northward, pondering
upon the question, and passed the street upon which the police
court was located and Counsellor Gottlieb had his office. The
thought came into my mind that here was the very person to shed
light upon the subject and I turned the corner and opened the door.
Gottlieb was in his customary position with his feet elevated upon
the table before him.

"Well," he said, "I didn't expect you back so soon."

"I've come for free advice this time," I answered.

"Oh," he grunted. "Well, in that case perhaps you won't get it."

Somehow I had taken a shine to the fellow, for all his robbery of
poor Toby, and I admired his quickness of perception and readiness
of speech. Perhaps he too felt not unkindly toward me. At any
rate I told him my story.

"Now," says I, "what d'ye make of it?"

Gottlieb laughed.

"Was he a fat little turkey with gray eyes?" he inquired.

"The same," I replied.

"Then it was Tom Kelly," he answered. "On his daily still hunt
for the maimed, the halt and the blind. You say the chap had been
run over by the stage? Well, Tom'll take his case on a contingent
fee--fifty per cent. to Tom and fifty per cent. to the client of
all that comes of it--bring an action against the stage line and
recover heavy damages. Oh, it's terrible to think what that poor
injured young man will suffer. To-day he may feel quite well, but
to-morrow he will have all kinds of pains