Colls, take out a writ against this client; what is your
Christian name, sir? I forget."
"Simon," said the gaping client, off his guard.
"Thank you, sir," said Mr. Compton with sudden politeness: then resuming
hostilities--"A writ in the Common Pleas against Simon Macfarlane: keep
it in your drawer, Colls, and if ever the said Macfarlane does me the
honour to call on me again serve him with it on the spot; and, if not,
not; good morning, sir." And with this he bolted into his own room and
slammed its door. 'The clerks opened the outer door to Mr. Macfarlane
with significant grins, and he went out bewildered sorely, yea even like
one that walketh abroad in his sleep. "Now, sir," said Mr. Colls
cheerfully to Alfred. But the new client naturally hesitated now: he put
on his most fascinating smile, and said: "Well, Mr. Colls, what do you
advise? Is this a moment to beard the lion in his den?"
At Alfred's smile and address Colls fell in love with him directly, and
assured him _sotto voce,_ and with friendly familiarity, that now was his
time. "Why, he'll be as sweet as honey now he has got rid of a client.
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