Alice looked up in surprise. "But you don't mean to take it from Mr. Crego?" Haney's face grew hard. "I am under no obligation to Crego, and I prefer to have as me lawyer a man who can neighbor with me, and whose wife is not above nodding when me own wife passes by." Alice hastened to defend the Cregos. "You mustn't be unjust to Mrs. Crego." "I'm not," said Haney, "nor to Crego either. I've paid for his time, and paid well--as I'm willing to pay for yours." He turned to Ben. "I need advice, and I want to feel free to go for it." Ben replied: "I'd like to accept your business, Captain, but you see it would not be professional for me to profit at the expense of my friend, and, besides, I haven't really settled here yet." Haney looked disappointed. "I thought ye had. Well, I am going to cut loose from Crego anyhow, and I shall tell him why." Bertha cried out: "No, don't do that." He acquiesced. "Very well, then I won't tell him why; but I'm going to quit him! So if you don't care to take on me business, I'll give it to Jim Beringer. It pays a good bit of money, and will pay more. I'll make it profitable to ye." Alice looked at Ben. "Of course, if he is going to leave Mr. Crego anyway--" "But that would mean making our permanent home here, and setting up an office." "Well, why not? I can't live in the East any more; that we have tested. I am willing to decide now. It would give you a start here, and, besides, I think you can be of use to the Captain." Ben still hesitated. "It seems rather treacherous to Crego some way. But if you have definitely decided against him--" "We have," said Bertha. "We talked it all over yesterday. We want you." Haney's face was very grave now. "There is one thing more, Mr. Fordyce. Mart Haney's reputation must be taken into account. It won't do you anny good to be associated with him. I don't know that it will do you anny harm, but I'm dom sure it will do you no good to be associated with me." Alice interposed, quickly. "A lawyer can't choose his clients--at least, a _young_ lawyer can't."