Page:Hugh Pendexter--Tiberius Smith.djvu/172

 Yes, sir, he was a Solomon until they turned in an alarm.

"Somehow, I like best to think of the old chap in that stage-setting. It was the one short lull in our many ventures, and I love to hark back and meet those particular ghosts at Philippi, and once more dwell upon the time when for three hours he toyed with the scales of justice, and within that small circumference managed to establish certain legal propositions so astounding as to equip the higher courts with severe headaches for many years to come.

"Now don't run away with the idea that Tib drew only about six inches of water when it came to sailing the legal seas; for he was so good he could pick the Futurity winner in 1911. Why, in one abbreviated afternoon he firmly started the celebrated Higbutton will case on its spiral way, and only escaped a grand-jury acquaintance by thoughtfully nabbing a south-bound train in the evening. Probably to this day the principals in that litigation are anxiously watching for his return. Dull hinds, dream on! Would that you could behold him again!

"You see, sir, Tiberius was the greatest legal teaser that ever raised blisters on the judicial brow, although he had no idea of measuring out legal lore when we darted into placid Spluckersville. I'll ad-