"Certainly," said Mr. Cooley, "and, while I think of it, do your best to persuade Miss Paula that we are really acting for her best interests. She is alone in the world. Her uncle will take her into his own family, welcome her as his own child." Mr. Ricaby, with an impatient shrug of his shoulders, went out without waiting to listen to any more. Mr. Cooley, who had not noticed the attorney's departure, went on: "Can't you see the picture, Ricaby? Uncle--niece--bosom of family--happy home--cousins--smiling faces--all radiant with newly found happiness?" Suddenly he noticed that Ricaby was no longer there. Turning to Jimmy, he exclaimed, in a changed tone of voice: "You know that fellow is the damndest bore I was ever up against! His arguments to the judge were puerile--positively puerile! That one about the ethical aspect was a bird. You know it's all I can do to keep my temper with that brand of practitioner." Jimmy nodded approval. "You've been remarkably patient--remarkably," he said. Mr. Cooley's face broke into a self-satisfied smile. "Those fellows theorize and theorize by the yard. I've sat on the bench and listened to their cackle till I got so hot under the collar I'd like to jump down and bang 'em over the head with their own law books. They quote authorities by the stack and hand you all the old-time stuff from old Roman and British digest down to last year's decision. Those fellows forget that Henry Clay and Daniel Webster oratory is out of date. Marsh--while I think of it--don't make too much show of affection to the girl--not too much 'Uncle' business at the start, she may not take to it kindly." "Of course, of course," said Jimmy impatiently. "I'm not exactly a fool." "Not exactly--no--but sometimes perilously near," retorted Cooley dryly. "My dear Cooley----" "Now, my dear James, you must really be guided by me----" "But there are limits," said the other. "Quite so," acquiesced the lawyer, "and I apologize for not observing them, but I really can't allow you to lose control of your brother John's fortune without at least making the effort to guide you properly." "No, of course not," muttered his vis-a-vis. "God knows how I should ever pay your fees if I did----" The lawyer opened wide his eyes as if he did not quite comprehend. "Pay my fees? Why, my dear Marsh, I don't want to be paid fees----" "No?" "You don't suppose I'm working for mere fees, do you? I'll tell you what I'm after when we get control of the estate." "We?" echoed Jimmy interrogatively. "_Oui--oui_"--snapped Cooley. "That's French for 'yes.' Do you imagine that Bascom Cooley intends to desert you after the battle is won? No--no--he will help you handle your victory." "Quite so--quite so," nodded Jimmy vacuously, "but at the same time----"