“Why won’t you take it, then?” asked the puzzled doctor.
“I was going to ask something better than an arrest,” said Bar.
“Come, come,” said the judge, “I’ll take that all back. I never was so interested in anything in all my life. What is it you want?”
“Nothing,” said Bar, “except a little advice, and so I brought my fee with me.”
“Advice!” exclaimed the doctor. “Why, you look about the stoutest, healthiest fellow of your age I’ve seen in a month.”
“So I am,” said Bar, “but I want advice, nevertheless. You see, I’ve heard that you doctors are the only men living that can keep a secret, and I can’t get the advice I want without telling mine. So as soon as the judge is gone I’ll tell it.”
“That’s a little the coolest!” growled the old lawyer. “Why, young man, doctors are no more professional secret-keepers than we are.”
“But the doctor owes me a fee, a big one, and you don’t,” said Bar.
“Never mind,” said the doctor, “we’ll take the judge in as counsel. I’ll pay his fee if he asks for one.”
“The boy’s fee enough,” exclaimed the judge. “Never saw anything like him. Don’t let him send me away, Doctor. Look here, young man, it may be you want a lawyer more’n you do a doctor.”