Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 17.pdf/498

 COMMONWEALTH v. LAMB

473

He walked over to the occupied strip of to select a spot for the interview. He heard shade and asked, referring to his telegram, a shuffling of feet behind him and looked where he could find L. Lamb. over his shoulder to see Lamb enter accom "He's somewhar about," one of the panied, apparently, by the entire com loungers said. munity. No one uttered a word. They "He's at liberty then?" Mr. Brown said flowed in almost as noiselessly as the tide in surprise. rises. Mr. Brown surveyed them in some "Yas, suh." embarrassment. His driver at this moment No one offered to move. Mr. Brown had again proved equal to the occasion. He thought that men charged with crime were plucked the lawyer by the coat and locked up. He found himself at the outset whispered, "Why not take him in the of his legal career confronted by a situation drug store. See the sign at the end of for which his studies had not prepared him. the store? They say there ain't no good He began to reflect as to how much he tryin' to get him off but I told 'em they knew of the proceedings in a justice's court. didn't know how cute you was. I don't What was the first step for the attorney for myself, but I let on you was up to any game the defense when everything was at loose goin'." ends, unhitched, so to speak, from the legal "Thanks," said Brown doubtfully. He vehicle? had no great confidence in his own cuteness. While he was reflecting, his driver joined Evidently the whole neighborhood had come in for entertainment. the group. "I tell you what," his driver said con "Here's Lamb," he said. Brown blessed his driver in his heart. fidentially, leading Brown aside, "if you After all, common-sense was of use even in ain't got no case, sling all the long words in law. Here was the first step taken. What the dictionary and fan the air. They ain't was next? What sort of a crime was nothin' but 'crackers.' They don't know attempt at murder? He could recall dis anything. I've driv lawyers regular to tinctly the doctrine of contingent remainders these God-forsaken little towns and I've and their conveyance, the liabilities of com listened to 'em. Come election and all mon carriers with its various heads and sub these God-forsaken idiots has got a vote, divisions; he felt that he would know when you know!" "Yes, I know," Brown answered, grate and where an action of libel would lie — but an attempt at murder? He had cer ful for any advice. He called his client and led the way into tainly stored in his mind knowledge relating to this subject if he could but find it. It the drug department. In an ancient work on cookery, the recipe was certainly there somewhere. Lamb wore a rusty black felt hat, a for the preparation of rabbits begins "first cotton shirt, overalls, and a pair of coarse, catch your hare. " It would be well if cheap brogans tied with cotton rags. His treatises on the practice of law should sug eyes were mild, apathetic, expressionless. gest as the first leading principle "get your fee." His round-shouldered figure gave no indica Mr. Brown reflected that he had paid for tion of strength. His attitude expressed his buggy and that in the hours before night listless vacancy of mind. "Shall we have a talk," the lawyer said he might acquire an appetite for the mussy cheese, fly-blown soda crackers and alleged briskly. sardines offered for sale in the emporium. "I reckon," Lamb answered. "Shall we go inside?" Brown asked. "I must have my expenses," Mr. Brown He entered the store and glanced about said at last with deliberation.