"A divorce!" exclaimed the client, feelingly - almost tearfully."No, no-not that.I have read, Mr.Gooch, of many instances where your sympathy and kindly inter-est led you to act as a mediator between estranged hus-band and wife, and brought them together again.Let us drop the hypothetical case -- I need conceal no longer that it is I who am the sufferer in this sad affair -- the names you shall have -- Thomas R.Billings and wife --and Henry K.Jessup, the man with whom she is infatuated."Client number three laid his hand upon Mr.Gooch's arm.Deep emotion was written upon his careworn face."For Heaven's sake", he said fervently, "help me in this hour of trouble.Seek, out Mrs.Billings, and persuade her to abandon this distressing pursuit of her lamentable folly.Tell her, Mr.Gooch, that her husband is willing to receive her back to his heart and home --promise her anything that will induce her to return.Ihave heard of your success in these matters.Mrs.Bil-lings cannot be very far away.I am worn out with travel and weariness.Twice during the pursuit I saw her, but various circumstances prevented our having an inter-view.Will you undertake this mission for me, Mr.
Gooch, and earn my everlasting gratitude?""It is true," said Lawver Gooch, frowning slightly at the other's last words, but immediately calling up an expression of virtuous benevolence, "that on a number of occasions I have been successful in persuading couples who sought the severing of their matrimonial bonds to think better of their rash intentions and return to their homes reconciled.But I assure you that the work is often exceedingly difficult.The amount of argument, perseverance, and, if I may be allowed to say it, eloquence that it requires would astonish you.But this is a case in which my sympathies would be wholly enlisted.Ifeel deeply for you sir, and I would be most happy to see husband and wife reunited.But my time," concluded the lawyer, looking at his watch as if suddenly reminded of the fact, "is valuable.""I am aware of that," said the client, "and if you will take the case and persuade Mrs.Billings to return home and leave the man alone that she is following --on that day I will pay you the sum of one thousand dollars.I have made a little money in real estate during the recent boom in Susanville, and I will not begrudge that amount.""Retain your seat for a few moments, please," said Lawyer Gooch, arising, and again consulting his watch.
"I have another client waiting in an adjoining room whom I had very nearly forgotten.I will return in the briefest possible space."The situation was now one that fully satisfied Lawyer Gooch's love of intricacy and complication.He revelled in cases that presented such subtle problems and possi-bilities.It pleased him to think that he was master of the happiness and fate of the three individuals who sat, uncon-cious of one another's presence, within his reach.His old figure of the ship glided into his mind.But now the figure failed, for to have filled every compartment of an actual vessel would have been to endanger her safety;with his compartments full, his ship of affairs could but sail on to the advantageous port of a fine, fat fee.The thing for him to do, of course, was to wring the best bargain he could from some one of his anxious cargo.
First he called to the office boy: "Lock the outer door, Archibald, and admit no one." Then he moved, with long, silent strides into the room in which client number one waited.That gentleman sat, patiently scanning the pictures in the magazine, with a cigar in his mouth and his feet upon a table.
"Well," he remarked, cheerfully, as the lawyer entered, "have you made up your mind? Does five hundred dollars go for getting the fair lady a divorce?""You mean that as a retainer?" asked Lawyer Gooch, softly interrogative.
"Hey? No; for the whole job.It's enough, ain't it?""My fee," said Lawyer Gooch, "would be one thousand five hundred dollars.Five hundred dollars down, and the remainder upon issuance of the divorce."A loud whistle came from client number one.His feet descended to the floor.
"Guess we can't close the deal," he said, arising, "Icleaned up five hunderd dollars in a little real estate dicker down in Susanville.I'd do anything I could to free the lady, but it out-sizes my pile.""Could you stand one thousand two hundred dollars?"asked the lawyer, insinuatingly.
"Five hundred is my limit, I tell you.Guess I'll have to hunt up a cheaper lawyer." The client put on his hat.
"Out this way, please," said Lawyer Gooch, opening the door that led into the hallway.
As the gentleman flowed out of the compartment and down the stairs, Lawyer Gooch smiled to himself."Exit Mr.Jessup," he murmured, as he fingered the Henry Clay tuft of hair at his ear."And now for the forsaken husband." He returned to the middle office, and assumed a businesslike manner.
"I understand," he said to client number three, "that you agree to pay one thousand dollars if I bring about, or am instrumental in bringing about, the return of Mrs.
Billings to her home, and her abandonment of her infatu-ated pursuit of the man for whom she has conceived such a violent fancy.Also that the case is now unreservedly in my hands on that basis.Is that correct?""Entirely", said the other, eagerly.And I can produce the cash any time at two hours' notice."Lawyer Gooch stood up at his full height.His thin figure seemed to expand.His thumbs sought the arm-holes of his vest.Upon his face was a look of sym-pathetic benignity that he always wore during such undertakings.
"Then, sir," he said, in kindly tones, "I think I can promise you an early relief from your troubles.I have that much confidence in my powers of argument and persuasion, in the natural impulses of the human heart toward good, and in the strong influence of a husband's unfaltering love.Mrs.Billinos, sir, is here -- in that room -- the lawyer's long arm pointed to the door.
