“Pardon him, Clifford: Bradley’s a gentleman of no social parts. But since he has mentioned the point--is there anything special you came for?” “I came to talk,” said Clifford. “Talk--good! Talking’s my trade!” Loveman drew up a chair, so that the three of them formed a square, the table of bottles filling the fourth side. “Let ’er go--guest has the opening speech.” “I suppose, Clifford, that this is where you’d like to have me make a quick exit,” said Bradley--and he crossed his legs, folded his arms, bit upon his invariable big cigar, and gave Clifford a challenging look. “On the other hand, Bradley,” Clifford returned, “I count it luck that I found you here, and I beg you as a favor to remain. Bradley, Loveman,” he said sharply, “I’ve come here for a show-down--to tell you that I’m on to your little game!” “Our game?” queried Loveman, with puzzled blandness. “Your game with Mary Regan and the Mortons.” “Indeed!” Loveman said softly. “Now, I wonder if you’d mind giving a little information to an ignorant man?” Bradley’s face had suddenly become hard; his little eyes were gleaming. But though Loveman’s manner was blandly puzzled, Clifford knew the little lawyer was as alertly watchful of him as was Bradley--and was as much to be watched. “I’ll put all my cards on the table, Loveman,” he said with deliberation. “I’ll tell you exactly what I know--which is also exactly what you know. There’s nothing at all extraordinary about it; it’s just the sort of thing that with a few variations you’re doing over and over.” “Oh, I say, am I really so monotonous!” protested Loveman. “You said you were going to put your cards on the table,” cut in Bradley. “Come on, let’s see your two-spots.” “We’ll go back a bit, Loveman,” said Clifford. “Morton, senior, had entrusted you with the legal end of some of his New York affairs; and when Jack Morton came to New York, and began to get himself tangled up through having too much money, the father put it up to you to extricate his son. Good profit in handling such affairs, Loveman: nice fee for legal services rendered; a private split of the sums for which the matters were settled; and an unobtrusive arrangement whereby the son could be drawn into further profitable predicaments. A big-paying business, Loveman.” “Go on,” said the little lawyer pleasantly.