“Look here, gentlemen,” snapped Mr. Converse, “I'm not ready for you. I told you not to come until next week. I have an immense mass of material to study. You're only wasting time--mine and yours--coming here to-day.”
“Well, you see, your honor,” stammered Davis, “we came to-day so as to save you more trouble and work.”
“Work!” echoed Mr. Converse, seizing the arms of his chair and shoving an astonished face forward.
“Why--why--you see we've decided not to push this case any further. And whatever is owing to you--name the sum.” He did not relish the glow which was coming into the attorney's eyes, nor the grim wrinkles settling about the thin lips. “So that there won't be any hard feelings, in any way,” Davis hastened to say.
“What has happened to you men all of a sudden?” demanded the lawyer. “Explain! Speak up!”
Davis's face was red, and he found much difficulty in replying.
“Well--you see--you know--if you get into law you never know when you're going to get out. We feel that this case is bound to drag! It's an awful big case--and they've got lots of money to fight us.”
“I told you I'd take your case for bare expenses and court fees,” stormed the lawyer. “It's a case I wanted to prosecute.”
“We know--you were mighty fine about it--but we've decided different. You see, the Consolidated--”
Mr. Converse came onto his feet and shook his finger under Davis's nose. “Don't you dare to tell me you have sold out to the Consolidated,” he shouted in tones that rang through his offices and brought all his force to the right about and attention.
“That wasn't it--exactly. But they'll take it off our hands--will do the right thing, now that we have shown 'em a few things! Colonel Dodd has seen new light. And it is too good a price for us to throw down.”
“You have let those monopolists buy you off. They have paid you a big bribe because they are getting scared. They were afraid they had played the old game once too often. I have them where I want them! No, my men! You've got to fight this thing, I say.”
“You can't drag us into law unless we're willing to go,” stated Davis, doggedly. “We've taken their money and the papers have been passed--and that settles it. We haven't done anything different than the others have done in this state.”