A potential client asked his lawyer, a august man of stern countenance, what he would charge for taking on a particular case.
After considering the merits of the case, the lawyer replied that he would take it for a contingency fee.
"What is a contingency fee?" asked the client.
"A contingency fee," said the lawyer with great dignity, "means that if I don't win your suit, I don't get anything. If I do win your suit, you don't get anything ..."