“O,” said Mr. Alibi, “here is seven hundred and seventy! This gentleman wants a counsel, and I’ve been telling him he can have one, and it won’t cost him anything.”

“That’s right enough,” said the Policeman; “but it ain’t nothin’ to do with me!”

“Just step this way, sir, we’ll soon have this case on,” said Alibi; and he led the way to the back room of a public-house, which seemed to be used as a “hedge” lawyer’s office.

“Med I mak so bold, sir; be thee a loryer?”

“No,” answered Alibi, “I am clerk to Mr. Deadandgone.”

“And don’t Mr. Deadandam charge nothin’?”

“O dear, no!”

What a very nice man Mr. Deadandam must be!

“You see,” said Alibi, “the Crown pays us!”

“The Crown!”