The Helmet of Mambrino 



the legal practice of provincial Spain 

 than the Codex itself, stepped for- 

 ward, passed behind the august 

 judicial table, and made some com- 

 munication in a whisper, which was 

 not quite loud enough to drown a cu- 

 rious metallic clink, as of coins in 

 collision. 



Thus softened, the cold eye of the 

 secretary warmed perceptibly, and he 

 resumed : " As I was about to say 

 when my friend here offered me a — 

 a — cigarette, the Codex does not in 

 terms recognize the right of an infant 

 to vend, transfer, give over, or re- 

 linquish real or personal property ; 

 but on reflection, in a case like this, 

 I shall not hesitate to celebrate the 

 act of sale." 



A servant was dispatched for some 

 strong paper, and the softened magis- 

 trate fell into oreneral conversation. 



" You have had a great war in your 

 country." 



32 



