"Then you agree with me, that Mr. Sherman is thoroughly honest in this affair? That his only motive is a sense of public duty?" "Yes. I cannot conceive of him knowingly doing a wrong." "That's what has forced me to think it's only just a mistake," said her father. "You may be right." She considered the idea. "But what does your lawyer say?" His pale cheeks flushed. "I have no lawyer," he said slowly. "I see. You were waiting to consult me about whom to retain." He shook his head. "Then you have approached some one?" "I have spoken to Hopkins, and Williams, and Freeman. They all----" He hesitated. "Yes?" "They all said they could not take my case." "Could not take your case!" she cried. "Why not?" "They made different excuses. But their excuses were not their real reason." "And what was that?" The old man flushed yet more painfully. "I guess you do not fully realize the situation, Katherine. I don't need to tell you that a wave of popular feeling against political corruption is sweeping across the country. This is the first big case that has come out in Westville, and the city is stirred up over this as it hasn't been stirred in years. The way the _Express_----You saw the _Express_?" Her hands instinctively clenched. "It was awful! Awful!" "The way the _Express_ has handled it has especially--well, you see----" "You mean those lawyers are afraid to take the case?" Doctor West nodded. Katherine's dark eyes glowed with wrath. "Did you try any one else?" "Mr. Green came to see me. But----" "Of course not! It would kill your case to have a shyster represent you." She gripped his hand, and her voice rang out: "Father, I'm glad those men refused you. We're going to get for you the biggest man, the biggest lawyer, in Westville." "You mean Mr. Blake?" "Yes, Mr. Blake." "I thought of him at first, of course. But I--well, I hesitated to approach him." "Hesitated? Why?" "Well, you see," he stammered, "I remembered about your refusing him, and I felt----" "That would never make any difference to him," she cried. "He's too much of a gentleman. Besides, that was five years ago, and he has forgotten it." "Then you think he'll take the case?" "Of course, he'll take it! He'll take it because he's a big man, and because you need him, and because he's no coward. And with the biggest man in Westville on your side, you'll see how public opinion will right-about face!" She sprang up, aglow with energy. "I'm going to see him this minute! With his help, we'll have this matter cleared up before you know it, and"--smiling lightly--"just you see, daddy, all Westville will be out there in the front yard, tramping over Aunt Rachel's sweet williams, begging to be allowed to come and kiss your hand!" He kissed her own. He rose, and a smile broke through the clouds of his face. "You've been home only an hour, and I feel that a thousand years have been lifted off me."