deserted; in smoking-room came upon little group playing cards; three
of them; SOLICITOR-GENERAL, CHABLES RUSSELL, and ASQUITH, LOCKWOOD
looking on.

"I suppose," I said, "they're playing whist; why don't you make up the
hand?"

"Whisht! it's not whist!" LOCKWOOD whispered, keeping his eye closely
fixed on game. "It's Baccarat. (Ah! CLARKE! I saw you. Come, pay up.
You did that very clumsily.) It's the Tranby Court case you know. I'm
not in it, but my learned brethren here hold briefs on either side,
and they say they are bound, in the interests of their clients, to
master the intricacies of the game. I must say they have managed very
successfully to subordinate their horror of gambling. RUSSELL, you
know, has a positive distaste for any game of chance. But as he says,
a Barrister must sometimes put his prejudices in his pocket. ASQUITH
brings to the game a serious aspect that positively sanctifies it.
As for EDWARD CLARKE, he's wonderfully nimble. He was trying _la
poucette_ just now when I called out to him. As everything turns upon
this, my learned friends say they must make themselves acquainted
with it. But I hope it won't lead to any breaking up of families. I'm
told the Judges who are likely to be trying cases in London before
Whitsuntide, impelled by a similar sense of duty, are also studying
Baccarat. The L.C.J. is reported to have developed a wonderful talent.
As a family man, and Recorder of Sheffield, I'm glad I'm not briefed
in the case."

[Illustration: "Young Harry"]

_Business done_.--Tithes Bill.