Page:Henry Northcote (IA henrynorthcote00snairich).pdf/80

 but as a retainer. By this means I pledge myself to conduct the case to its appointed issue."

"Pray do not let us misunderstand one another," said the solicitor, with a sense of being trapped. "This brief is withdrawn definitely; I ask you to return it to me. I give you ten pounds as a solatium for losing your fee."

"I cannot construe the situation in that fashion," said the young man calmly.

"This is not a question of construction," said the solicitor, with his anger beginning to announce itself; "it is a question of hard fact. Your brief is withdrawn."

"And I," said Northcote, with expansive bluntness, "do not submit to its withdrawal."

Before this impasse which had presented itself in a manner so definite, the solicitor, whose patience had been strained beyond the breaking-point, could only take refuge in a series of imprecations.

"Fellow's drunk," he muttered. "Shall have to see him first thing to-morrow. But it is most irritating that he should refuse to give up the papers when time is so short. It looks like an application for a postponement after all."

The solicitor turned for the last time to the advocate.

"It is a quarter-past twelve," he said brusquely, "and I am going home. And I would like to urge you to gain reflection by the aid of a few hours' sleep, because I shall look for that brief to be delivered at my offices at a quarter-past ten to-morrow morning. Good night."

He held out his hand; Northcote ignored it.

"You appear to impugn my sobriety," said the