"Yes, your Honor," said Judge Henderson slowly, turning his full eye upon the court from its late resting place upon the campaign portrait of himself as it appeared on the wall. "I have consented to be of such service as I may in the case. Mr. Ephraim Adamson, our well-known friend here, is ready for the trial of the cause now, as I understand. I may say further, your Honor, that there will be a writ of _habeas corpus_ sued out in due course demanding the body of the son of Ephraim Adamson, who is wrongfully restrained of his liberty at present in our city jail. "As for this defendant----" Judge Henderson turned and cast an insolently inquiring eye upon the young man at the side of the town marshal. "Who appears for the defendant?" demanded Judge Blackman austerely, casting a glance upon the prisoner at the bar. Don Lane arose, half hesitatingly. "Your Honor," said he, "I presume I am the defendant in this case, although I hardly know what it's all about. I haven't any lawyer--I don't know anybody here--I'm just in town. All this has come on me very suddenly, and I haven't had time to look around. I don't see how I am guilty of anything----" [Illustration: "Your Honor," said he, "I presume I am the defendant in this case."] Just then arose the soft and kindly tones of a large voice which easily filled all the room. Old Hod Brooks half rose. "Your Honor," said he, "it isn't customary for a member of the bar to offer his services unsolicited. I would say, however, that if the Court desires to appoint me as counsel for this young man I will do the best I can for him, since he seems a stranger here and unprepared for a defense at law. If there were any other younger lawyer here I would not suggest this course to your Honor--indeed, I have no right to do so now. I trust, however,"--and he smiled at Judge Henderson at the other end of the table--"that my learned brother will not accuse me of champerty, maintenance, or any other offense against my office as a servant of justice in this community. Of course, I may add, your Honor"--he turned to Justice Blackman again--"that in such circumstances my own services, such as they are, would be rendered entirely free of charge." People wondered, turning curious looks on the big, gaunt speaker thus suddenly offering himself as champion in a role evidently unpopular. Justice Blackman hesitated, and cast again a glance of query at Judge Henderson, on whom he much relied in all decisions. The latter waved a hand of impatient assent, and began to whisper with his clerk. "The Court will allow this procedure," said Justice Blackman. "Does the defendant accept Mr. Brooks as counsel?"