"I am very glad to have seen you, Sir," he continued; "the fact is, there may be a number of things I should like to consult you about, and I was loth to worry you." "Oh, not in the least," I replied, airily; "consult me at any time; only too glad to give you every assistance in my power." Upon this, I took my leave, saying as I did, to show that I really knew what I was about, that whoever had broken the hall-lamp, which I noticed was damaged, should have been made to pay for it. On my return to my chambers, I found PORTINGTON in a great state of excitement. He had actually got a brief for me! A real brief marked with a real fee and endorsed by a real firm of Solicitors! I was actually retained! MORDAUNT JONES, BROWN AND SNOBKINS! Perhaps the best firm in the profession! I was delighted! "PORTINGTON," I observed when I had regained sufficient control over my feelings to speak calmly, "I do not think you will find the names in my fee-book?" "I fancy not, Sir," replied PORTINGTON; "they wanted Mr. CHUCKBOB, only I said he was in Scotland, and persuaded--I mean told them you were in, and would be glad to look through the papers instead." "Thank you, PORTINGTON," I answered, as I took the bundle into my own special room; "thank you, if they come for them, let me know." "Certainly, Sir; MORDAUNT JONES, BROWN AND SNOBKINS seemed most anxious to have them back." Once alone I undid the tape and found the matter resolved itself into a most delicate point of international usage. I went to my bookshelf and hunted for authorities, and was soon deep in Mexican Maritime Law. I was searching in its statutes for one dealing with a ship detained by stress of weather in quarantine, when I was disturbed by PORTINGTON ushering in the head _employé_ from the Institution connected with the Vegetarian Movement. "Very sorry, Sir," said my visitor, "but we are in sad distress. We have just received twelve dozen cases of ginger-beer, when the Committee of Inspection particularly ordered that only soda-water should be supplied, and I really don't know what we shall do." "Can they not be exchanged for the required liquid?" I asked, looking up from my work, a trifle annoyed at the interruption. "I am afraid that is impossible, Sir. You see that the Committee of Inspection are so opposed to any alteration of procedure." "Well, well, you must do the best you can," I replied. "You see I am very much engaged at this moment." The chief _employé_, seeming greatly surprised at my lack of excitement, bowed, and withdrew. I was once more deep in my Mexican Maritime Law, when PORTINGTON put in his head. "Suppose that opinion isn't ready yet, Sir? MORDAUNT, BROWN, JONES AND SNOBKINS are waiting for it." "Ready directly. My compliments, and they can call for it in half an hour." I had just got to the point where I thought I began to comprehend the Mexican method of dealing with a fraudulent bill of lading, when I was again interrupted. A small boy forced himself in.