A very small office, like a small case in court, and, like the small case in court, it was generally closed. But for some days after the conversation detailed in the last chapter, the little office had been open all day. And the card stating that “Mr. Coleman was at court, and would return in thirty minutes,” had been taken from its usual place on the door. The fact that Peter’s office had been open continuously for the past three days was a subject for remark among his brother practitioners. To find Peter in his office an hour at a time was unusual, for that jolly young man was not noted for his application to business, and now, for three whole days, the door of his little den had stood invitingly open. And Peter had actually been there all day on each one of these three days. This was an unusual proceeding, and not a very pleasant one for Peter. For not only were the hours very slow in passing, but his presence in the office made it necessary for him to confer with the holders of a number of “little bills” that he had heretofore managed to avoid. Still, Peter kept the office door invitingly open, and appeared to be waiting as patiently as possible for the arrival of some one whom he felt reasonably sure would come in time. In fact, he was waiting for a client, and perhaps Mr. James Elwell was the client expected; but Mr. Coleman betrayed no surprise when that gentleman entered his office, only brought forward a chair in a professional manner, and then waited for his visitor to declare himself. “I happened to be in the building,” said Elwell, in a nervous, hesitating way, “and thought I would look you up.” Coleman bowed his head in acknowledgment of this, and waited for more. “The fact is,” continued Mr. Elwell, after waiting in vain for some encouragement, “that I have been thinking over what you said the other night.” Mr. Coleman bowed again. “You see,” his client went on, “your conversation happened to be of interest to me. You had no idea that I was married?” he asked suspiciously. Peter protested that he had not the slightest idea of it. “Well, I am,” admitted Mr. Elwell; and then he interrupted himself to say half inquiringly: “Of course this is strictly confidential?” “I treat _all_ statements made in the way of _business_ with strict confidence,” said the lawyer, with a slight emphasis on the word business. “Well, this _is_ business, and good business for you if it can be managed right,” said Elwell. The lawyer said that he would try to manage it right. “Well, you see,” said Elwell nervously, trying to wet his parched lips, “I am married, but my wife thinks me dead. Now is it possible for me to obtain a divorce--a legal divorce--without her knowing that I am still alive?” “All things are possible with money,” answered the lawyer dryly. “How much will it cost?” inquired his client.