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."

"No, and that's the trouble with this state," cried Converse, with
passion. "You came in here at first and talked like men--like honest men
who had good reason for righteous anger--and I took your case. And now
you sneak back here and give up your fight--bribed after I clubbed them
until they were willing to offer you enough money."

"We have only done what straight business men would do Mr. Converse,"
declared Owen.

"We had a chance to go to the high court with a case that would open up
the whole rottenness in this state before we got done fighting, and you
have sold out!"

"Good day. We don't have to listen to such talk," said Erskine.

"You wait one minute." The lawyer pulled open a drawer and found his
check-book. He wrote hastily and tore out the check. "Here's that
retaining-fee you paid me. Now get out of my office."

He drove them ahead of him to the door, shouting insistent commands that
they hurry.

When they were gone he gazed about at his astonished associates, his
partners, and his clerks.

"I apologize most humbly ladies