"_I've_ had very little to do with them; Quirk, Gammon, and Snap--these are the people, eh?" Mr. Aubrey nodded. "Quirk is a stubborn wooden-headed fellow--an old hedgehog! Egad! that man's compounded more felonies, the old scamp, than any man in England! I should like to have him in the witness-box for a couple of hours, or so! I think I'd tickle him a little," said the Attorney-General, with a bitter smile. "They say he's a confidential adviser to a sort of Thieves' Association! But there's Gammon: I've had several things to do with _him_. He is a superior man, that Gammon, a very superior man. A keen dog! I recollect him being principal witness in a cause when I was for the plaintiff; and he completely baffled Subtle--ah, ha, how well I recollect it!--Subtle lost his temper at last, because he couldn't make Gammon lose _his_! Ah, how cleverly the fellow twisted and turned with Subtle for nearly an hour! ah, ha--Subtle looked so chagrined!--Have you seen Mr. Gammon?" "No, I've had no occasion." "He has a pleasing, gentlemanlike appearance; rather a striking face. _He's_ the man you'll have to deal with in any negotiations on the subject I named. You must mind what you're about with him. You mustn't think me intrusive, Aubrey; but, have they sent in their bill yet?" Mr. Aubrey involuntarily shuddered, as he answered in the negative. "I'd give a trifle to know how the plague such people ever came to be concerned in such a case. 'Tis quite out of their way--which is in the criminal line of business!--They'll make their client pay for it through the nose, I warrant him:--By the way, what an inconceivably ridiculous little ass that Titmouse is--I saw him in court at York. If he'd only go on the stage, and act _naturally_, he'd make his fortune as a fool!"--Mr. Aubrey faintly smiled at this sally; but the topics which the Attorney-General had just before touched upon, had not a little oppressed his spirits. "As this is comparatively an idle day with me," said the Attorney-General, "and I've got ten minutes more at your service--suppose I go with you at once--nothing like the present moment--to Mr. Weasel's?" "I am greatly obliged to you," replied Aubrey--and both rose to go. "Say I shall be back in a few minutes," said the Attorney-General, in answer to his clerk, who reminded him as he passed, that Mr. Sergeant Squelch and Mr. Putty would be there in a moment or two's time. As they crossed the court--"How do you do, Mr. Putty?" said the Attorney-General, with lofty civility, to a grinning little confident personage who met him, exclaiming with flippant familiarity, "How do you do, Mr. Attorney?--Coming to your chambers--you don't forget?--Consultation--eh?" "I perfectly recollect it, Mr. Putty, I shall return presently. Perhaps, if convenient, you will have the goodness to wait for a few minutes"--replied the Attorney-General, somewhat stiffly, and passed on, arm-in-arm with Mr. Aubrey.