“ ‘The whole amount is many thousands of pounds,’ said the attorney, looking over the papers.

“ ‘It is,’ said the client.

“ ‘What are we to do?’ inquired the man of business.

“ ‘Do!’ replied the client, with sudden vehemence. ‘Put every engine of the law in force, every trick that ingenuity can devise and rascality execute; fair means and foul; the open oppression of the law, aided by all the craft of its most ingenious practitioners. I would have him die a harassing and lingering death. Ruin him, seize and sell his lands and goods, drive him from house and home, and drag him forth a beggar in his old age, to die in a common jail.’

“ ‘But the costs, my dear Sir, the costs of all this,’ reasoned the attorney, when he had recovered from his momentary surprise. ‘If the defendant be a man of straw, who is to pay the costs, Sir?’