“‘Now, look here, old son,’ said I, ‘just let the whole thing go, and we’ll put up somebody else.’ “‘If you do,’ said he, ‘as sure as a gun she’s a gonner.’ “‘I am afraid I agree,’ said I; ‘but if our fair client is not a fit subject for the rope, upon my soul there’s no need to hang anybody.’ “Well, the next thing I saw was that his eyes were full of tears. “‘Oh, damn it all!’ he said, ‘I can’t stand this hanging of women.’ “‘She’s an out-and-outer,’ said I. “‘That doesn’t alter her sex,’ said the Irishman. “‘Well,’ said I, ‘who can you suggest to put up in your stead with your plea of insanity? The difficulty is the brief is only marked twenty guineas, and you can’t get much for that money with you fellows.’ “‘You can’t,’ said he; ‘besides, this is a case for Michael. Unless it is handled in a certain way she is certain to hang. Apply for a postponement.’ “‘Why, you old sentimentalist, I don’t think we could get one,’ said I, having pretty well made up my mind that we could not. “‘Who is the judge?’ said he. “‘Bow-wow Brudenell,’ said I, ‘the most pedantic and cantankerous old man on the bench. And Weekes is leading for the Crown. There will not be much in the way of accommodation in that quarter.’ “‘Oh, come, old Bow-wow is not such a bad old sportsman,’ said the Irishman. ‘Tell him just how it is; tell him I’m suddenly laid by the wing, and it will be all right.’ “‘But,’ said I, ‘even if we get a postponement, we shall be none the better for it. It can’t be extended indefinitely; and I am afraid, old boy, this is going to be a long business of yours. I think I shall hand the brief over to Harris.’ “At first I was afraid the wild Irishman was going to jump out of his plaster of Paris. “‘Harris!’ said he. ‘My aunt! I wouldn’t brief Harris to defend a fox-terrier for worrying a tortoise-shell kitten.’ “‘I’ll admit,’ said I, ‘that Christopher is not a genius, but at least he will get our unfortunate client hanged like a Christian and a gentleman.’ “I spent nearly an hour arguing the point with the poor old fellow. ‘I don’t hold with dumb animals performing on the stage, and I don’t hold with the hanging of women,’ he kept saying, in that odd way of his which one doesn’t know exactly how to take. “‘Look here, old son,’ I said at last, growing impatient, ‘this will have to be fixed up with Harris to-night; and if I can’t get Harris, I shall get Westby.’ “‘She can hand in her checks if you get either,’ said he. ‘She’ll be hanged by the neck without even a run for her money.’ “‘Well, you can’t get “silk” for twenty guineas,’ said I; ‘and you can’t get a really useful junior.’ “Now, here follows another of the ‘peculiar’ circumstances. Suddenly the wild Irishman lifted himself in his bed, and again there was that odd look in his eyes. “‘I’ll tell you who you _can_ get,’ said he; ‘he’s come to me in a flash. Get that fellow Northcote.’ “‘Northcote?’ said I; ‘never heard of him.’