"Do you mind telling me who your counsel is that you consulted in these matters? I might prevail on him to change his mind." "Oh! no. Mr. Collis McSheen is our counsel--one of them." "Has he specifically given you this advice?" "He has." He turned to his stenographer. "Take this letter." "So--o." I reflected a moment and then tilted back my chair. "Mr. Gillis--one moment more of your valuable time, and I will relieve you." "Well?" He turned back to me with a sudden spark in his gray eye. "Really, I have no more time to give you." "Just a moment. You are mistaken in thinking you are giving me time. I have been giving you time. The next time we meet, you will be a witness in court under subp[oe]na and I will examine you." "Examine me? As to what, pray?" His face had grown suddenly dark and his insolence had turned to anger. "As to what you know of the fraud that was perpetrated on the heirs of a certain Colonel Tipps who built and once largely owned the road I have spoken of." "Fraud, sir! What do you mean?" "As to what you know--if anything--of the arrangement by which a certain Collis McSheen sold out his clients, the said heirs of the said Colonel Tipps, to a certain Mr. Argand, whose private secretary you then were; and whose retained counsel he then became." "What!" His affected coolness was all gone. His countenance was black with a storm of passion, where wonder, astonishment, rage, all played their part, and I thought I saw a trace of dismay as well. "What do you mean, sir! What do I know of the--the fraud--the arrangements, if there ever were any such arrangements as those you speak of?" I was the insolent one now. I bowed. "That is what I am going to ask you to tell in court. You have the books, and you will bring them with you when you come, under a _subp[oe]na duces tecum_. Good-day." I walked out. As I approached my office, I saw Collis McSheen bolting out of the door and down the street, his face as black as a thunder-cloud. He was in such a hurry that he did not see me, though he nearly ran over me. He had evidently been summoned by telephone. I was working on my bill a few days later when to my surprise Peck walked into my office. I knew instantly that there was mischief afoot. He looked unusually smug. He had just arrived that morning, he said. Mr. Poole had some important interests in a railway property which required looking after, and he had come on to see about them. There was not much to do, as the road was being capitally managed; but they thought best to have some one on the ground to keep an eye on the property, and remembering our old friendship, he had suggested that I be retained to represent Mr. Poole, if anything should at any time arise, and Mr. Poole had, of course, acted on his advice. Mr. Poole had in fact, always been such a friend of mine, etc. The trouble with Peck was that he always played a trump even when it was not necessary.