“No,” she said at last; “I do not think I have any interest in the matter; or, if I have, it can not concern you any. I will not interfere between you. But I should not like to have you hurt her father; and some day I would like to go there again for a day or so.” She left the room without saying anything more, and apparently without noticing him. But Peter was satisfied. He knew that she was truthful, and knew, too, that if she was against him, she would not hesitate to tell him so. Whatever her interest in the matter was, it was not against him. And in his satisfaction he decided that she should have a chance to visit Fanny again, if he could bring it about. With his feelings a great deal easier, he went to his office and wrote to Mr. James Elwell, and as soon as he could close up his affairs, followed the letter in person. As Mr. Coleman expected, Elwell found that he was at liberty that evening; but it was without any appearance of cordiality or friendship that he went to the hotel after supper to meet the lawyer. Elwell was determined that he would not give in an inch to his whilom friend, and he was equally determined that Coleman should not locate in town if he could prevent it. “It is a blackmailing scheme,” he thought bitterly; “and if I don’t choke him off now, he will follow me all my life. Better fight it out now, and be done with it. At the worst, he can only say that I am a divorced man, and that cannot injure me now.” On entering the hotel, he found Coleman in the bar and billiard room, watching with great interest a game that was being played. “We cannot talk here,” Elwell said gruffly, disregarding his friend’s outstretched hand. “Come to the office with me.” Peter glanced at him quickly. “No,” he said; “we will go to my room. It is nearer--and safer,” he added, under his breath. Elwell made no answer, but followed him upstairs to his room. “Now, what is it?” he demanded, throwing himself into a chair. Coleman seated himself, with the table between them. “You do not seem very glad to see me,” he said lightly. “But that is probably because you do not understand the case. I have looked over the town, and talked with some of your best citizens, and I find that, with your assistance, I can get a brilliant opening here, and I have concluded to stay. Shall I ring for something?” he said, rising and moving over to the bell. “No,” replied Elwell shortly. “I am not going to stay a moment.” “I think you will stay long enough for that,” said Peter quietly. And he rang for some whisky and cigars. Elwell sat silent until they had been placed on the table; then he said, declining the proffered glass with a motion of his hand: “So you have decided to stay?” Coleman nodded, and drank his liquor with evident relish. “With or without my assistance, I suppose?” Elwell inquired. “Oh, no;” replied Peter smiling. “With your assistance, of course. “You cannot have it!” Peter looked at him, but made no reply.