Conway and his friend had made a pretense of eating breakfast after parting with Norine. It was only a pretense, for neither of them could eat. But it was still too early to hope to find the lawyer; and as the time _had_ to be passed, they could get over some of it, while loitering over the breakfast table, to a better advantage than by wandering around, and, as Jim expressed it, “talking each other to death.” Still, they were both glad when it was over and they could go to Coleman’s office with the hope of finding him there. “You will introduce me as your friend,” Conway said, while on their way. “Let me hear the fellow talk for a while, and I will know better how to handle him.” It was still early, but they found Coleman waiting for them. He looked a little doubtful when Conway was introduced, and scanned his visitor closely. “Your friend is acquainted with the details of this affair, I presume?” he said, with a note of inquiry in his voice. Jim assured him that he was. “I did not know my friend was here until this morning,” he said, “and I thought he had better come with me.” “Oh, yes; quite right--quite right,” replied Peter, evidently thinking it quite wrong. “And how is your sister this morning, my dear sir?” “She is ill,” returned Jim coldly. “She has received a shock she will not recover from very soon. But enough of that,” he continued impatiently. “It is time we did something to avenge her wrongs. Let us get down to business;” and he drew a chair up to the lawyer’s desk, where Conway was already seated. Peter shook his head sorrowfully and heaved a deep sigh, but made no attempt to get down to business. In fact, he was in great doubt as to how the business was to be proceeded with. “Let us now understand each other,” said Jim, following the instructions he had received from Conway. “Are you open for a retainer from us in this case?” “Why, my dear sir,” replied the lawyer suavely, “I hardly know. You see, I am already empowered by Morain and Elwell to purchase your land for them, at your own price;” and he laid significant stress on the last few words, and even repeated them. “At your own price; so you see I am, in a measure, in the employ of the other side.” “Did they want to buy the land?” inquired Jim. “Yes; I was acting for them when I wrote to you. You have only to name your price,” he added, smiling smoothly, “and we can soon settle that.” “I can settle it without naming my price,” said Jim bluntly. “They can’t have it at any price.” Coleman looked very uneasy. It would not pay them to have the land matter investigated. “I do not see why you need mix this with the other matter at all,” he said. “This is merely a matter of business.” “I have said they cannot have it,” replied Jim, as bluntly as possible, “and I mean what I say. Now, as that is settled, you can answer my question. Can you act for us in bringing this villain to justice?”