I expressed my sense of obligation to both him and Mr. Poole, but in my heart could not help recalling the chances Mr. Poole had thrown away to help me in the past. "What sort of interests are they?" I inquired. "Railway interests. He has both stocks and bonds--second mortgage bonds. But they are as good as gold--pay dividends straight along. The railway has never failed to increase its net earnings every year for ten years, and is a very important link in a transcontinental line." "What railway did you say it was?" I inquired, for I had observed that he had not mentioned the line. "Oh! ah! the P. D. & B. D." "Oh! Well, the fact is, Peck, I don't know that I could represent Mr. Poole in any litigation connected with that road." "Oh! it is not litigation, my dear fellow. You'd as well talk about litigation over the Bank of England. It is to represent him as a sort of regular----" "I know," I cut him short, "but I think there will be some litigation. The fact is, I have a claim against that road." "A claim against the P. D. & B. D.! For damages, I suppose?" "No. To upset the reorganization that took place----" Peck burst out laughing. "To upset the reorganization of that road which took place ten--twenty--How many years ago was it? You'd better try to upset the government of the United States." "Oh! No----" "Come now. Don't be Quixotic. I've come here to give you a good case that may be the beginning of a great practice for you. Why you may become general counsel." "I thought Mr. McSheen was general counsel? You said so, I remember, when you were here before." "Why, ah! yes. He is in a way. You would, of course, be--in a way, his--ah----" "Peck," I said, and I kept my eye on him blandly. "Have you seen Mr. McSheen since your arrival?" "Why, yes, I have. I had to see him, of course, because he is, as I told you, the general counsel----" "In a way?" I interpolated. "Yes. And of course I had to see him. It would not have been quite professional if I had not." "And he assents to your proposition?" "Oh! yes, entirely. In fact, he--" He paused and then added, "is entirely satisfied. He says you are an excellent lawyer." "Much obliged to him. I beat him in the only case I ever had against him." "What was that?" "Oh, a small case against the Argand Estate." "Oh! Well now, Glave, don't be Quixotic. Here is the chance of your life. All the big people--the Argand Estate, Mr. Leigh, Mr. McSheen, Mr. Canter. Why, it may lead you--no one can tell where!" "That is true," I said, quietly. Then quite as quietly I asked: "Did Mr. McSheen send for you to come on here?" "Did Mr. McSheen send for me to come on here? Why, no. Of course, he did not. I came on to look after Mr. Poole's interest." "And to employ me to represent him?" "Yes." "And to give up my clients as McSheen did?" "What!" "Peck, tell Mr. McSheen that neither my dog nor myself is for sale." "What! I--I don't understand," stammered Peck.