[_Q.C. comes out, puffing, followed by his Clerk and a Client._ _First W.W._ (_as the chasm in the crowd closes again_). _Now_ you can let us in! _Doork._ (_stolidly_). Not yet, Sir. (_To other Doork._) I see that party agen last night--_you_ know--him as was here making all that shindy day afore yesterday. I went and 'ad a drink with 'im. _Second Doork._ (_interested_). Ah, and 'ow _was_ he? _First Doork._ Oh, same as usual--boozed. Told me he'd come up from Glasgow for a week's spree--and he seems to be _'aving_ it, too. Going 'ome Saturday, so he sez. _Second Doork._ (_grimly_). He'll be lucky if he gets there Saturday fortnight! [Illustration: IN HIS CLUTCHES. "WHAT A DAY OI'M HAVIN'! BEGORRA, OI'VE GOT 'EM BOILIN' ON BOTH SOIDES AV THE ATLANTIC AT THE SAME TOIME!"] _Murmurs_ (_from the lucky Peris who can just see the witness-box through the glass panel_). Who's that in the box? That's Colonel ARKASS--finishing his cross-examination.... Doesn't seem to be enjoying himself.... See how he's tugging at his moustache.... Got a nasty one just then, I expect.... I'd as soon believe 'im as I would 'er--_now_.... She ain't been in the _box_ yet.... No, but she's a reg'lar bad lot, from what was said in the opening speech. They won't change my opinion of _'er_, whichever way the case goes! Well, I 'aven't followed it closely myself.... Oh, no more have I--but still I've made up _my_ mind long ago about it, (&c., &c.) _The I.S._ (_suddenly returning, indignant_). I say, they're letting in all _sorts_ of people--barristers, and so on--at that _other_ door! _Doork._ Can't 'elp that, Sir; _this_ ain't the other door--you should speak to _them_ about it! _The I.S._ (_naively_). Well, I _have_--and they told me to come here! [_General snigger, amidst which he departs in disgust._ _A Small Office-Boy_ (_with a strip of paper, tied with red tape_). Kin I see Sir HALFRID ALLABYE a moment? _Doork._ Sir ALFRED ain't in this Court--he's engaged in another case. _The O.B._ 'Is Clurk'll do--it's 'ighly important--you better lemme _in_, I tell yer! _Doork._ Send in a message for yer, if that'll do. (_The O.B. says it doesn't signify, and bolts._) Young Artful! thinks he'll sneak in, and spend his dinner-hour there--but he _don't_! _The M.M._ (_who has been examining his card under a gaslight_). I say, I've just found out that it wasn't "Please _wait_" that Mr. TANFIELD wrote on my card--it's "Please _Admit_!" [_A general titter of incredulity._ _First W.W._ (_to Second W.W._). Ingenious--but a trifle transparent that, eh? [_His friend smiles knowingly._ _The M.M._ (_roused_). Do you mean to suggest that I-- [_He chokes._ _First W.W._ Oh, not at all--I was speaking to my friend here. But you really must allow that, if any preference is shown at all, it should be given--equitably, and of right--to Members of the Bar!