t on an uncertainty."

"But it is not an uncertainty. They are coming up the stairs."

"Let us sit down," said Lyman.

McElwin and Sawyer entered the long composing room, looked about and
then walked slowly toward the law office.

"Come in," said Lyman, as they approached the open door.

"You are not alone," McElwin remarked, as he stepped in, followed by
Sawyer.

"Neither are you," said Lyman. "Sit down."

"We have not come to sit down, sir."

"Then you must pardon my not rising. This languid spring air makes me
tired."

"Sir, we wish to see you in your private office."

"And that is where you find me. This was my public law office, but now
it is my private editorial room."

"But your privacy is invaded," said the banker, glancing at Warren.

"So I have observed," Lyman replied, looking at Sawyer.

"Ah, but enough of this. Can we see you alone."

"I don't believe I'd waste any more time beating the bush," said
Sawyer. "Let's come to the point."

"That's not a bad suggestion," Lyman replied. "We have about thrashed
all the leaves off the bush."

The banker cleared his throat: "Mr. Lyman, even after a night of
worried reflection, I am even now hardly able to realize the monstrous
outrage that has been committed at the instance of a theologic
imbecile, helped by a travesty on law enacted by a general assembly of
ditch diggers and plowmen."

"That is a very good speech, Mr. McElwin. But I don't know that any
outrage has been committed. Let us call it an irregularity."

"We'll call it an infernal shame," Sawyer declared, swelling.

"No," Warren struck in, "call it a great piece of news gone wrong. If
I had my way it would be creeping down between column rules right
now."

"Infamous!" cried the banker. "Don't you dare to print a word of it."

"Oh, I'd dare all right enough, if Lyman's modesty didn't forbid it."

"Then, sir, I must condemn your impudence, and commend Mr. Lyman's
consideration."

"We are still beating the bush," Sawyer broke in.

"And no scared rabbit has run out," said Lyman.

"We might be after a wolf instead of a rabbit," Sawyer replied. The
banker gave him a look of warning.

"Yes," said Lyman, "you might hunt a wolf and find a panther."

"I take that as a threat," the banker spoke up.

"Oh, not at all," Lyman replied. "It was merely to help carry out a
figure of speech."

"Let's get to business," said Sawyer.

"All right," Lyman agreed. "But you don't expect me to st