sacred protection of my roof, and upon an unarmed man. I beg your
pardon, sir, and I even withdraw the expressions which provoked
that inadvertence. Nor does this apology prevent you from holding me
responsible--personally responsible--ELSEWHERE for an indiscretion
committed in behalf of a lady--my--er--client."
"Your client? Do you mean you have taken her case? You, the counsel for
the Ditch Company?" asked Mr. Hotchkiss, in trembling indignation.
"Having won YOUR case, sir," replied the Colonel coolly,
"the--er--usages of advocacy do not prevent me from espousing the cause
of the weak and unprotected."
"We shall see, sir," said Hotchkiss, grasping the handle of the door and
backing into the passage. "There are other lawyers who"--
"Permit me to see you out," interrupted the Colonel, rising politely.
--"will be ready to resist the attacks of blackmail," continued
Hotchkiss, retreating along the passage.
"And then you will be able to repeat your remarks to me IN THE STREET,"
continued the Colonel, bowing, as he persisted in following his visitor
to the door.
But here Mr. Hotchkiss quickly slammed it behind him, and hurried away.
The Colonel returned to his office, and sitting down, took a sheet of
letter-paper bearing the inscription "Starbottle and Stryker, Attorneys
and Counselors," and wrote the following lines:--
HOOKER versus HOTCHKISS.
DEAR MADAM,--Having had a visit from the defendant in above, we should
be pleased to have an interview with you at two P. M. to-morrow.
Your obedient servants,
STARBOTTLE AND STRYKER.
This he sealed and dispatched by his trusted servant Jim, and then
devoted a few moments to reflection. It was the custom of the Colonel to
act first, and justify the action by reason afterwards.
He knew that Hotchkiss would at once lay the matter before rival
counsel. He knew that they would advise him that Miss Hooker had "no
case"--that she would be nonsuited on her own evidence, and he ought not
to compromise, but be ready to stand trial. He believed, however, that
Hotchkiss feared such exposure, and although his own instincts had been
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