Understand ?" "Shure, I do!" answered Mike, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand and taking the paper; for, though he had no idea of what _duces tecum_ meant, he had no intention of disclosing the fact.
"It's important," continued the clerk.

"Be sure and attend to the matter at once." "Lave that to me!" Mike assured him.
"Don't forget that it's a _duces tecum_," admonished the clerk as Mike passed out of the door.
"Not on yer life!" replied the newly appointed deputy.
Outside, he found a fellow deputy, also newly appointed.
"Pat," said Mike, holding out the subpoena, "phat is the meanin' o' thim two wurrds ?" His friend carefully examined the paper.
"'_Duces tecum_'," he repeated thoughtfully.

"'_Dooces taycum_.' They be Latin words meanin' 'take him alive or dead.'" "Thanks," said Mike.

"Trust me!" And he started forthwith for Wall Street, where Mr.Winthrop Van Rennsellaer's office was located.

Having ascertained by inquiry that his quarry was in, Mike pushed by the clerks and scriveners in the outer offices and armed with the majesty of the law, boldly forced his way into the lawyer's sanctum.