"Well, maybe so. But you give McSheen the message. He will understand it. And now I will explain it to you, so you may understand." I explained briefly to him my connection with the matter and my proposed line of action; and he naturally endeavored to satisfy me as to the absolute futility of such a course as I proposed. "Why, consider," he said, "the people you will have to contend with--the idea that you can prove fraud against such persons as Mr. Leigh, the Argands, Mr. McSheen." "I don't expect to prove fraud on Mr. Leigh," I quickly interposed. "You will have to sue him. He is a director." "I know it. But he came in after the transaction was completed and I believe knew nothing about it, and he has left the directory. But why are you so interested in Mr. Leigh? His interests in the street-car lines are directly opposed to Mr. Poole's." "I am not interested in Mr. Leigh, but in you. Why, do you imagine any judge in this city would even consider a bill charging fraud against such persons as those I have mentioned? For I tell you they will not. You will just make a lot of enemies and have your trouble for your pains." "Perhaps so--but Peck, you have not mentioned all the people I shall have to sue." "Who do you mean? I have only mentioned one or two." "Mr. Poole." Peck's countenance fell. "Mr. Poole! What did he have to do with it?" "He was one of them--one of those who engineered the reorganization--and swin--engineered the heirs of Colonel Tipps and some others out of their interest. Well, give my message to Mr. McSheen," I said, rising, for Peck's duplicity came over me like a wave. "You may understand it better now. Neither my dog nor I is for sale. Peck, you ought to know me better." Peck left with that look on his face that used to annoy me so at college--something that I can best describe as a mechanical simper. It had no warmth in it and was the twilight between indifference and hate. Peck evidently conveyed my message.