"I don’ need the money," said Porter in maddening reiteration. "Besides that I don’ know what my lawyer will charge." At the mention of money, however, the sharp-dealing old negro felt a little more at ease and interested in the discussion. "Who is your lawyer?" "Mistuh Shaw—Mistuh Robert Shaw." "Robert Shaw. Is he the Shaw that wants that special solicitorship in the treasury department? A negro?" "Yes, suh, a negro; but I don’ know about the treasury department." "Well, he’s the man, I have no doubt—Robert Shaw, a negro lawyer. Now let me tell you. I had had some idea of giving him the place he asks for, but I say right now if he’s inclined to be a fool in a matter of this sort he’s not the man the government wants. If he gets his fee he will be well enough satisfied, won’t he? He’s not the fool kind that wants to advertise himself in a sensational suit, is he?" "No, suh, no, _suh_! Mistuh Shaw is a ve’y nice young man, suh. He ain’t no fool, suh." "Well, he would be if he disobeyed your wishes and mine in this matter. I think I can speak for _him_ myself. Now what do _you_ say? A thousand dollars?" Involving Shaw in the affair was most fortunate for Mr. Phillips. With Hayward out of the running, Henry Porter now looked with much assurance upon Shaw as a son-in-law. That financial-political combination between himself and Shaw was again his pet dream as before Hayward’s interference. With Black Henry the controversy was really settled and he was ready to compromise. The smaller purpose was lost in the presence of the master passion. But his personal pride and cupidity were aroused. If his hoped-for son-in-law Shaw was going to get both honour and revenue out of this thing, he himself ought not to fall too far behind.... And again he remembered that he had been sent for. "Of cou’se I don’ need the money," he said once more, "but if money is to settle it I think five thousan’ ’d be little enough. We was suin’ for twenty-five." "Five thousand the devil! I’ll not pay it. It’s outrageous!" "Well, suh, I don’t need the m—" "Ah, shut that up, for heaven’s sake! What’s the best you’ll do? Speak out now in a hurry." "Well, suh, five thousan’ is mighty little considerin’ the standin’ of the pahties. As my lawyer, Mistuh Shaw, said, the standin’ of the pahties calls for big damages. My daughter and your son-in-law are up in the pic—" "Hold on!" said Mr. Phillips. "You can stop that argument right there. Will you take five thousand and shut the thing up?" "Well, suh, as I said, I don’ need—" "Will you take the five thousand?" The President’s eyes had a dangerous blaze in them. "Yes, suh."