"The injustice of the affair was every man's business. These two De Lanceys were private gentlemen, who, because they had some words with a German chasseur, were seized in their homes and tried by court-martial--though they had no connection whatever with the army: at the worst it was a simple assault, the most trifling offense the civil law notices, yet the De Lanceys were degraded and imprisoned for two months, and then compelled to beg this German mercenary's pardon before all the troops at Kingsbridge. Remember Mr. Hicks, turned out of his hotel by General Patterson at the request of that unmentionable creature Loring--because Loring wanted it for one of his parasites. Remember poor Amberman, the miller at Hempstead, who, because he asked Major Stockton for payment for the flour he had bought, was nearly flogged to death, and then run through with Major Crew's sword, and kicked out of the way--dead. Nothing was done to Stockton; I met him on the street an hour ago, still an officer in His Majesty's service. I could add one hundred examples to these--but what is the use? And why are we lawyers? There is no law. The will of any military officer is the law." "Still we are lawyers, Neil; and special counselors to three of the commissaries." "I shall not be counselor much longer. I am going to write my resignation now." "Are you mad? These fees are about all the ready money we make." "I should deserve to be called mad, or worse, if I continued to serve a government which had just fined me for not being careful of its interests." "For Heaven's sake, don't throw hundreds a year away for a figment!" "Honor is something more than a figment. But you had better go to court early this morning. When you come back, I want you to let me have two hundred pounds until I can sell some property." Curtis burst into a loud laugh: "I could not let you have two hundred shillings," he said. "Good gracious, Neil, how can you suppose I have money to spare?" "I know you have money, but if you are averse to lending it, that is a different thing. I thought you might have some memory of all I have done for you." "I have. Of course I have. You have put thousands of pounds in my way; I don't deny or forget it, but I have a family----" "I understand. I wish you would hasten about Bradley's case. His father will be expected to pay for their service." "I suppose his case is settled. I am sorry he has got off--deuced sorry! A saucy youth who looked defiance at his betters all the time." "Were they his betters?"