In this case the clerk had done wonders, and taking a copy for study, his honor disposed himself in the great easy-chair of his private room, with the manuscript before him, as if profoundly occupied with some intricate law opinion, and commenced the arduous task of committing the ideas of a better cultivated mind to his own sterile brain. While he was thus occupied, a man entered with a good-humored, blustering air, and threw himself into a seat by the fire, carelessly shaking the Mayor's hand as he passed, as if quite certain of a good reception at all times. "Busy making out a new veto case, I dare say?" observed the visitor, glancing at the sheet of manuscript which his honor held. The Mayor folded up his unlearned speech, and turning quietly in his seat, dropped into a desultory conversation with this man about city matters, talking in a circle, and gradually drawing toward the subject which he had at heart, till it seemed to drop in quite by accident. "Speaking of policemen," said the Mayor, "there is a man in our ward, Alderman, whom I have heard of very often, lately, a tall, gentlemanly sort of a fellow--Chester, I think that is his name. Do you happen to know anything about him?" "Chester--Chester--yes, I should think so. A fellow that reads like a minister and writes like a clerk; he is a perfect nuisance in the ward. You have no idea what mischief he does with his gentlemanly airs." "What! a strong politician is he?" "I hardly know; but he is not one of us, that is certain." "It is due to the party--the fellow ought to be removed," said the Mayor. "I wonder some one has never preferred charges against him." "Plenty of our people have been lying in wait for him, but he is not to be trapped; he understands all the rules, and lives up to them. Never drinks--is always respectful--appears on his beat punctual as a clock. In short, it is a hopeless case." "Then it must be a very singular one," said the Mayor, with a meaning smile. "Is there no good friend of your own who would be glad of the situation?" "Oh, yes--one to whom I have made a half promise, but we can get no hold on this Chester, he will baffle us, depend on it." "Perhaps not. Let your friend, who is waiting for the situation, continue vigilant. If he is keen-sighted, his evidence will have weight with me." Our Alderman looked hard at the Mayor, somewhat doubtful if he understood the whole meaning conveyed, more in the glance than in the words of that honorable gentleman, who saw his perplexity and spoke again. "You know, my dear friend, how far I would strain a point to serve you, but there must be some evidence--something, however slight, you understand--which can be readily obtained against any man." The Mayor saw by the smile that disturbed the lip of his friend, that he was at length thoroughly understood. "You know that there is no appeal from my decision," he added, with a smile, "and I decide alone!"