Coleman pretended to be busy lighting a cigar, and made no answer. “Well, what do you want?” demanded Elwell savagely. “Nothing--nothing at all,” replied Peter, smoking placidly. Elwell stared at him. “I have changed my mind in the last few moments,” said the lawyer in answer to his friend’s stare. “And I have concluded _not_ to locate here after all. You have rejected the offer I made you, and I think I will locate elsewhere. That is all it is necessary for me to say, so I need not detain you longer.” And he arose from his chair as if the interview was at an end. “What do you intend to do?” demanded Elwell, with a savage light in his eyes. “Nothing at present,” replied the lawyer. “I have no intention of saying anything to hurt you. I will simply drop you, as you intended to drop me. Some day you will need me, and then you will regret that you did not make a friend of me when you could.” Elwell buried his face in his hands and tried to think. “I must have time,” he cried; “I cannot think now.” “You can have all the time you want,” replied the lawyer coolly. “But don’t you think you had better go home to your wife?” with a slight emphasis on the last word. Elwell looked up. His face was haggard and his eyes bloodshot. “Come,” he said hoarsely; “tell me what you want.” “Nothing,” repeated the lawyer steadily. “I would not go into practice here now, unless it was at your earnest solicitation.” “Very well; I wish it,” said the other briefly. “And if I did, I should expect all the business of your firm, and your assistance to obtain business from others.” “You shall have it,” said Elwell as briefly as before. “Well, that is all,” continued Peter, “unless it is a little money, say five hundred or a thousand, just to carry me over for a while.” The other nodded. “And what do I get in return for all this?” he demanded. “You get my friendship,” replied Peter gayly, “and my assistance. Why, man,” he cried, slapping his companion jovially on the shoulder, “with my help we will have you in Congress in less than two years, and then you can help me to something fat;” and he laughed pleasantly. Elwell made no answer, but started to leave the room. “It is all settled now, is it?” he asked, as he opened the door. “All settled? Of course it is,” cried Peter pleasantly. “Come and drink success to my future practice.” Elwell looked at him for a moment, and then took the glass he held out to him, and drained it. Then without a word he left the room. “Faith, you’re an ugly customer,” said Peter, with a grimace, when he was alone. “It was an even thing whether I got my throat cut or won the game. But I won it,” he went on, with a sigh of relief. “And now, Peter, my boy, we’ll make a night of it.” CHAPTER XXIV. IN THE SUMMER TIME. The first return of warm weather found James and Norine Darling at the little farm, and also found Lester Conway there to welcome them.