CHAPTER XIX. As the gentlemen came in the superintendent was chatting affably with Mr. Cooley, approving everything he said, and laughing loudly at his witticisms, with the forced, artificial cordiality of the man anxious to please. The big lawyer was too influential a personage not to be worth cultivating, and there was no telling when he might prove very useful. Neither of them paid the slightest attention to Tod or Mr. Ricaby, who, anxious to avoid, for the present at least, the slightest excuse for friction, withdrew to the farther end of the office. Waving the others to seats, the superintendent called his aged attendant: "Collins, take Professor Bodley to Parlor B." "Very good, sir." "Isn't Zacharie here yet?" demanded the Professor. "Yes, doctor," replied the superintendent civilly. "He's stopping here for a few days." "Ah, yes--a very conscientious man!" exclaimed the professor. Prattling on, he said: "Well, it's a pleasant place! How is the young lady?" The superintendent shrugged his shoulders. "About the same, doctor, about the same--no change to speak of." "Hum! ha! yes!" muttered the professor. "Too bad--too bad!" The superintendent turned again to Mr. Cooley. In an undertone he said: "The reports are upstairs, counsellor." "But McMutrie isn't here yet," growled Cooley, glancing around with a frown. "That's the trouble with these successful men. They never have time to keep their appointments." "I keep my appointments, sir!" snapped the professor peevishly. "Oh, yes--you do," sneered the lawyer. "Where's Zacharie?" "Waiting for you upstairs," replied the superintendent, pointing to the staircase. "Parlor B--this way, gentlemen!" called out Collins. Mr. Cooley approached the superintendent. "Get McMutrie on the 'phone," he said impatiently. "Tell him that we're all waiting. And send Miss Marsh up to us as soon as he arrives." Professor Bodley left the office escorted by the old attendant, and Cooley was about to follow when Mr. Ricaby, who had been watching his opportunity, quickly stepped forward. "Mr. Cooley," he said firmly, "I wish to be present at the examination of Miss Marsh." The big lawyer halted and stared at his opponent contemptuously. Without a word he looked at him from head to foot. Finally he sneered: "That's not necessary. It's only an informal examination--a private interview for the benefit of our witnesses. We can't have anyone present but those experts interested on behalf of James Marsh--her uncle and special administrator of the estate." "I demand to be present," insisted Mr. Ricaby, raising his voice angrily. "It's my client's right, and you know it!" Cooley shook his head disdainfully.