important
trust company, of which Mr. Jeffries was president, was constantly
involved in all kinds of litigation of which Judge Brewster had
exclusive charge. As the lawyer found this highly remunerative, it was
only natural that he had no desire to lose Mr. Jeffries as a client.

Secluded in his private office, the judge was busy at his desk,
finishing a letter. He folded it up, addressed an envelope, then lit a
cigar and looked at the time. It was three o'clock. The day's work was
about over and he smiled with satisfaction as he thought of the
automobile ride in the park he would enjoy before dressing and going to
his club for dinner. He felt in singularly good spirits that afternoon.
He had just won in the court a very complicated case which meant not
only a handsome addition to his bank account, but a signal triumph over
his legal opponents. Certainly, fortune smiled on him. He had no other
immediate cases on hand to worry about. He could look forward to a few
weeks of absolute rest. He struck a bell on his desk and a clerk
entered. Handing him the note he had just written, he said:

"Have this sent at once by messenger."

"Very well, judge," answered the clerk.

"By the bye," frowned the lawyer, "has that woman been in to-day?"

"Yes--she sat in the outer office all morning, trying to see you. We
said you were out of town, but she did not believe it. She sat there
till she got tired. She had no idea that you went out by another
stairway."

"Humph," growled the lawyer; "a nice thing to be besieged in this
manner. If she annoys me much longer, I shall send for the police."

At that moment another clerk entered the room.

"What is it, Mr. Jones?" demanded the lawyer.

"A lady to see you, judge," said the clerk, handing him a card.

The lawyer glanced at the bit of pasteboard, and said immediately:

"Oh, yes, show her in."

The two clerks left the room and Judge Brewster, after a glance in the
mirror to re-adjust his cravat, turned to greet his visitor. The door
opened and Alicia entered. She was faultlessly gowned, as usual, but her
manner was flurried and agitated. Evidently something had happened to
upset her, and she had come to make her husband's lawyer the confidant
of her troubles. The judge advanced gallantly and pointed to a chair.

"Good morning, my dear Mrs. Jeffries, how do you do?"

"Is Mr. Jeffries here?" asked Alicia hurriedly.

"Not yet," he replied, smiling. "This is an unexpected ple