The Merry Past 



an attorney, had pressing business to transact, he 

 opened it himself, and found himself confronted 

 by a tall, gaunt man, wrapped in a loose horse- 

 man's coat, with a handkerchief, from which pro- 

 truded the tips of a couple of scarlet ears. This 

 very unwelcome visitor was dowered with ferocious 

 whiskers, an obliquity of vision, and a deep scar on 

 his cheek. In a gruff voice he addressed the man of 

 law. " Measter, I a' cum for that five pound." 



" What do you mean, my good fellow ? " said the 

 counsel, feeling rather nervous. 



" I say I want that five pound that my 'torney, Mr. 

 Stoat, gave you this morning." 



" Who are you, sir ? " the counsel enquired, by no 

 means reassured by his mention of Mr. Stoat's 

 name. 



*' ' Galloping Dick,' that was imprisoned for high- 

 way robbery, and they've just let me out, and so I 

 thought I'd come and have back my money, before I 

 was off to London." 



" But, my good fellow," replied the counsel, 

 beginning to feel extremely uncomfortable, " you 

 can't claim the money ; your case has been heard, 

 and you are acquitted. What more could you 

 possibly want ? " 



" Ah," retorted the highwayman, in a voice some- 

 thing between a growl and a grin, " no thanks to you, 

 measter. It was the old codger above in the wig 

 that got me off. Mr. Stoat handed you over the 

 five pounds to make a speech for me, and you had no 

 speech to make, and you didn't make a speech, so 

 p 209 



