CHAPTER I.--(continued)

And then the busy lawyer caught up his satchel and started out of the office to catch his train. Lew opened the bundle of papers, and was soon studying them hard.

He had tried minor court cases, but had never had one in the supreme court, and he felt that it was rather unkind of fate that the first one that came to him to try in the upper court was regarded by even his shrewd employer as quite hopeless. However, he bent himself to the task, reflecting over the one saving point of the week that Smollett had worked, and trying to decide just how to make that fact effective.

Just as he had made up his mind what course to pursue about it, the telephone rang, and he was notified that the case was called and that the office boy had answered ready.

Stuffing the papers in his pocket, Lew walked over to the courthouse, thinking deeply over the idea that had come into his mind. He got there just as the jury box was filled, and eyed them narrowly while the counsel for the plaintiff was examining them. It looked like a good sensible jury to him, and he made but two objections to the men in the box.

The jury was sworn and the case opened.

Smollett's lawyer told how the accident had happened, and then drew a touching picture of how the plaintiff's wife, a sickly looking woman who sat at his side in court, had slaved to support the family, Smollett being unable to work, and not having done a day's work since the time he was injured. Lew cast down his eyes when this statement was made, and began to feel a little more hopeful.

Then Smollett was put on the stand and told his story, moaned about the constant pain that he had suffered since he was hurt, while the jury began to look sympathetic. In response to the questioning of his lawyer he declared that he had not been able to do more than to sweep a room since the day of the accident. Then Lew arose to cross-examine him.

"Mr. Smollett, what was your business before you were injured?"

"I was an iron worker."

"That requires great strength, does it not?"

"Yes, it does."

"All parts of the work?"

"Yes, all parts of the work."

"And you could do any part of the work?"

"Yes, I was a pretty powerful man."

"And you have not been able to do anything more laborious than to sweep a room since you were injured?"

"That is true."

"How long have you lived in this city?"

"Three years."

"Where did you live before you came here?"

"In Far Rockton."

"At what address?"

"Two-forty-one Vine street."

"How long did you live there?"

"Four months."

"Where did you move to when you came to this city?"

"One-seventy-two Bear street."

"How long did you live there?"

"Six weeks. The house was cold and we could not stay there."

Lew bent down and selected a paper, glanced at it as though to refresh his memory, and then went on with the examination.