“I spose,” said the policeman, “you don’t want me, gentlemen; it ain’t nothink to do with me?”
“Oh, no, Leary,” replied Alibi; “we don’t want you; the case is pretty straight, I suppose.”
“Oh, yes, sir; I expects it’ll be a plea of guilty. There ain’t no defence, not as I’m aware of.”
“Oh,” said Alibi, “that’s all right—keep your witnesses together, Leary—don’t be out of the way.”
“No, sir,” says Leary; “I thinks I knows my dooty.”
And with this he slouched out of the room, and went and refreshed himself at the bar.
In two or three minutes the policeman returned, and was in the act of drawing the back of his hand across his mouth, when Alibi said:
“Yes?”
“Beg pardin, sir; but there’s another gentleman wants to see you—I thinks he wants you to defend ---; but it ain’t nothink to do wi’ me, sir.”
“Very good,” answered Alibi, “very good; now let me see—”