encountered Messrs. Dodson and Fogg, rubbing their hands with every
token of outward satisfaction.

'Well, gentlemen,' said Mr. Pickwick.

'Well, sir,' said Dodson: for self and partner.

'You imagine you'll get your costs, don't you, gentlemen?' said Mr.
Pickwick.

Fogg said they thought it rather probable. Dodson smiled, and said
they'd try.

'You may try, and try, and try again, Messrs. Dodson and Fogg,' said
Mr. Pickwick vehemently, 'but not one farthing of costs or damages do
you ever get from me, if I spend the rest of my existence in a
debtor's prison.'

'Ha, ha!' laughed Dodson. 'You will think better of that, before
next term, Mr. Pickwick.'

'He, he, he! We'll soon see about that Mr. Pickwick,' grinned Mr.
Fogg.

Speechless with indignation, Mr. Pickwick allowed himself to be led
by his solicitor and friends to the door, and there assisted into a
hackney-coach, which had been fetched for the purpose, by the ever
watchful Sam Weller.

Sam had put up the steps; and was preparing to jump upon the box,
when he felt himself gently touched on the shoulder; and looking
round, his father stood before him. The old gentleman's countenance
wore a mournful expression, as he shook his head gravely, and said,
in warning accents:

'I know'd what 'ud come 'o this here mode 'o doin' bisness. Oh
Sammy, Sammy, vy worn't there a alleybi!'

We may wonder that the laborious Chamber Counsel Serjeant Snubbin did not
advise "moving for a new trial." The verdict was clearly a wrong one--no
sufficient evidence had been furnished either of a promise, or a breach.
The full court would no doubt have granted the motion, and this would
have led to Mr. Pickwick's release, for the astute Dodson and Fogg must
have recognised their poor chances, and perhaps have required "security
for costs," which their client could not have given. However, the idea
did not occur to anybody.

Since the law was changed both plaintiff and defendant may be examined in
such cases as these. What a different complexion this would have put on
the suit. The whole case would have tumbled to pieces like a pack of
cards. For Mr. Pickwick "put into the box" would have clearly shown that
all that had been thus misconstrued, was his proposal for engaging a
valet, which was to have been that very morning. He would have related
the words of the d