Gottlieb had gently assured him that he must be mistaken and bowed him out, but Bunce for once in his little toy career was "all up in the air." He felt that his own integrity was, in some mysterious way, at stake, since it was upon his own testimony to the effect that he had made the service of the papers in question that the original decree had in part been granted.
The case was sent to a referee for hearing, and on the morning of the day set Gottlieb called me into his office and said: "Harkee, Quib! I've a plan that will put our little friend Bunce's nose out of joint for good.

It is nearly seven years now since he has seen Hawkins and it was then only for a moment." "Well," said I, "what is your game ?" "Come along to the hearing and you'll find out, my lad," answered Gottlieb.

"Don't fail if you want to see some fun." Curious to discover what trick Gottlieb would be able to play, I accordingly arranged my work so as to attend the hearing, which was to be held in the referee's office in an old wooden building on Broadway.

As I climbed the stairs I caught sight of Hawkins skulking on one of the landings, but he laid a finger on his lips and I passed on and up to the attorney's office.

The room, like most old-fashioned lawyers' offices, was but dimly lighted, and on entering I found the other side, with the exception of Mrs.
Dillingham, already there.