One item not to be lost in the late-summer stupor is the news (linked to by Kathryn last week) that Justice Stevens has hired only one law clerk for the October 2010 Term. Under his long-established practice, he would have hired all his clerks by now. On its face, that news seems to be a crystal-clear sign that Stevens intends to retire next summer. (If I learn of anything that makes the sign more murky, I’ll pass it along.)