In the course of his conference with the individual who wished to prosecute this claim, Dunbar found that he put much more confidence in his ability than he did in that of Mr. Harker, and once or twice inquired whether Mr. Harker would object to any legal advantage that it might be found necessary to take. A few days' reflection decided the mind of Dunbar, and he said to his client, whose name was Malcolm,— "I have been for some time meditating a separation from Harker, and have, at length, determined upon taking that step. If you will defer the opening of this suit for a couple of months, I will be ready to undertake it myself, and prosecute it with undivided energy." "Nothing could be more agreeable," returned Malcolm. "I will defer the matter as you suggest." And so it was deferred until Dunbar could arrange and settle all that appertained to his contemplated dissolution with his old preceptor, who received his proposition with astonishment. Nothing that Harker could say had any effect upon Dunbar. His mind was fully made up for a separation, and it took place accordingly. From all that appears, this was an unwise act for Dunbar; but he had thoughts and intentions in regard to the new case expressed to none. What these were will appear in the end. As soon as the young attorney launched from the shore in his own boat, he took up the important case that had been offered him, and made a vigorous demonstration upon the party in possession of the property to be litigated. Of course there was a defence, which was intrusted, as he had shrewdly anticipated from his knowledge of the party concerned, to an attorney of tact and shrewdness, with principles just about as pure as his own. The two legal gentlemen entered into close conference from the first, though, to all appearances, they were almost as hostile as their respective clients. Before commencing a suit, Malcolm, who had a small business, by means of which he was barely able to support his family, had made sundry efforts to compromise his claim. He had even offered to take a sum as small as twenty-five thousand dollars, although the amount in dispute was over a hundred thousand. But all such overtures were rejected. No sooner, however, was the suit commenced, and the terms upon which Dunbar had undertaken its prosecution known, than an offer was made to Malcolm to settle the matter by paying him the sum he had previously demanded. This fact he immediately communicated to his lawyer, and asked if he had not better accept the proposition.