The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1911-01-27

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tricacy and complication. He reVeled
in cases that presented such subtle
problems and possibilities. 1t pleased
him to think that he was master of the
happiness and fate Of the three 1ndt-
viduals who sat, unconscious OF one
another's presence, within his reach.
HIS old figure of the ship glided into
his mind. But now the figure failed,
for to have filled every compartment
of an actual vessel would have been to
endanger her safety; while here, with
his compartments full, his ship Of af-
fairs could but saili on to the advan-
tageous port of a fine, fat fee The
thing for him to do, of course, was to
wiring the best bargain he could from
some one of his anxious cargo.
First he called to the Office boy:
Lock the outer door, Archibald, and
admit 10 one" Then he moved, with
long, silent strides into the room in
which client number one waited. That
gentleman sat, patiently scanning the
pictures in the magazine, with cigar
in his mouth and his feet upon table.
We'll" he remarked, cheerfully, as
the lawyer entered, have you made
up your mind? Does five hundred dol
lars go for getting the fair lady a di-
vorce?"
You mean that as retainer"
asked Lawyer Gooch, softly interroga-
tive
Hey? No; for the whole job. It's
enough, amt it?'
MY fee,' said Lawyer Gooch.
would be one thousand five hundred
dollars. Five hundred dollars. down,
and the remainder upon issuance of
the divorce"
A loud whistle came from client
number one His feet descended to
the floor.
Guess we can't close the DEAL" he
said arising. Il cleaned up five hun
dred dollars in little real estate dick
er down in Susanville. I'd do any
thing I could to free the lady, but 1t
out-sizes my pile"
Gould you stand one thousand two
hundred dQllars?" asked the lawyer,
insinuatingly.
Five hundred is my limit, tell you.
Guess I'll have to hunt up a cheaper
lawyer" The client put on his hat.
Out this way, please" said Lawyer
Gooch, opening the door that led into
the hallway.
AS the gentleman flowed out of the
compartment and down the stairs,
Lawyer Gooch smiled to himself. Exit
Mr.. Jessup," he murmured, as he fin
gered the Henry Clay tuft of hair at
his ear. And now for the forsaken
husband" He returned to the middle
Office, and assumed businesslike
manner.
Il understand" he said to client
number three, that you agree to pay
one thousand dollars If l bring about,
or am instrumental in bringing about,
the return of Mrs. Billings to her
home, and her abandonment of her
infatuated pursuit of the man for
whom she has conceived such a vio-
lent fancy Also that the case is now
unreservedly in my hands on that
basis. Is that correct?"
Entirely" said the other, eagerly.
And l can produce the cash any time
at two hours notice.
Lawyer Gooch stood up at his full
height His thin figure seemed to ex-
pand. His thumbs sought the arm
kholes of his vest. Upon his face was
the look of sympathetic benignity that
he always wore during such underta-
kings.
Then, SIR" he said in kindly tones,
Il think can promise you an early re-
lief from your troubles. l have that
much confidence in my powers of argu-
ment and persuasion, in the natural
impulses of the human heart toward
good, and in the strong influence of
husbands unfaltering love. Mrs. Bill
ings, sir, is herein that room" the
lawyers long arm pointed to the door.
Il will call her in at once; and our
united pleadings-'
Lawyer Gooch paused, for client
number three had leaped from his
chair as if propelled by steel springs,
and clutched his satchel.
What the devil" he exclaimed,
harshly, do you mean? That woman
in there! l thought l shook her off
forty miles back"
He ran to the open window, looked
out below, and threw one leg over the
sill.
Stop" cried Lawyer Gooch, in
amazement. What would you do?
Come, Mr.. Billings, and face your err
f.i IIIf Inn xI-ifo
entreaties cannot fail to
Billings" shouted the now thor
oughly moved CLIENT 'Ill Billings you,
you old idiot!'
= Turning, he hurled his satchel with
fury at the lawyers head. 1t struck
that astounded peacemaker between
the eyes. causing him to stagger back
ward a pace or two. When Lawyer
Gooch recovered his wits he saw that
his client had disappeared. Rushing
to the window, he leaned out, and saw
the recreant gathering himself up from
the top of a shed upon which he had
dropped from the second-story win
dow. Without stopping to collect his
hat he then plunged downward the re-
naming ten feet to the alley, up which
he flew with prodigious celebrity until
the surrounding building swallowed
him up from view.
Lawyer Gooch passed his hand trem-
blingly across his brow. 1t was an
habitual act with him, serving to clear
his thoughts. Perhaps also it now
seemed to soothe the spot where
very hard alligator-hide satchel had
struck.
The satchel lay upon the floor, wide
open, with its contents spilled about.
Mechanically Lawyer Gooch stopped to
gather up the articles. The first was a
collar; and the omniscent eye of the
man of law perceived, wonderingly,
the initials H. K. J. marked upon it.
Then came a comb brush, folded
map and a piece of soap. Lastly, a
handful of old business letters, ad