patient. We are no worse off, at any rate, than before the man
called upon us, so far as our profession goes, and we are better off
than we would be if he had not called at all. You should be grateful
for the good received, and not cry after lost possibilities."

"Oh! well! I suppose you are right!" and throwing up both arms in a
gesture of disgust, he went to his desk and began writing furiously. A
long silence was maintained. These two men contrasted greatly. They
had met each other during their law-school days, and were mutually
attracted. Mr. Dudley was a hard student who had realized early in
life that the best fruit comes to him, who climbs, rather than to him
who shakes the tree; whilst that man who lies at ease, basking in the
sunshine and waiting for ripe plums to fall into his mouth, is likely
to go hungry. He was methodical, persistent, patient, energetic. He
wasted no time. Even during his office hours, if there were nothing
else to occupy him, he would continue his studies, delving into the
calf-bound tomes as though determined to be a thorough master of their
contents.

Mr. Bliss was his antithesis, and yet he had just those qualifications
which made him complement his partner, so that he strengthened the
firm. He was a brilliant, rather than a deep student. He read rapidly,
and had a remarkable memory, so that he had a superficial
comprehension of many things, rather than a positive knowledge of a
lesser number. He could be both rhetorical and oratorical, and, at a
pinch, could blind a jury with a neat metaphor, where surer logic
might have made a smaller impression, being less attractive. When
addressing the jury, he would become so earnest, that by suggesting to
his hearers that he himself was convinced of the truth of his
utterances, he often swayed them to his wishes. He was quick, too, and
keen, so that he eventually became justly celebrated for his
cross-examinations. But at this time his greatness had scarcely begun
to bud, and so he sat like a schoolboy in the dumps, whilst his graver
partner, though equally disappointed at the prospect of losing a good
case, showed not so much of his annoyance.

Presently Barnes entered with a telegram, which Mr. Bliss took, glad
of anything to divert his thoughts. A moment after reading it he was
greatly excited, and handing the message to his partner, exclaimed:

"Mortimer, in heaven's name read that!"

Mr. Dudley took the despatch and read as follows: