I presume he
would not find it necessary to buy his--er--beverages here. He meant
public spirit, of course. He asked me who our leading men were."

"Who were they--the others, I mean?" asked John.

Emily rubbed away a smile with her handkerchief. Heman noticed her
action, and his color brightened.

"They WERE public," he said, rather sharply. "They were men of
standing--long standing in the community. Prominent and prosperous
citizens, who have lived here long enough for East Wellmouth to know
them--and respect them."

This was a shot in the bull's eye. Miss Timpson evidently thought so,
for she nodded approval. Daniels continued.

"They were men of known worth," he went on. "Practical citizens whose
past as well as present is known. Your cousin--I believe he is your
cousin, Kendrick, although he did not mention the relationship--was
grateful to me for giving him their names. He is a practical man,
himself."

John nodded. "He must be," he admitted. "No one but a practical man
could get all that advice, free, from a lawyer."

Captain Obed laughed aloud.

"That's a good one," he declared. "Lawyers ain't in the habit of GIVIN'
much, 'cordin' to all accounts. How about it, Heman?"

Mr. Daniels ignored the question and the questioner. He rose to his
feet.

"There are SOME lawyers," he observed, crisply, "whose advice is not
asked--to any great extent. I--I think I will join the group on the
beach. It's a beautiful evening. Won't you accompany me, Miss Howes?"

Emily declined the invitation. "No, thank you, Mr. Daniels," she said.
"I am rather tired and I think I won't go out tonight. By the way, Mr.
Kendrick," she added, "was the great man asking your advice also? I
happened to see him go into your office yesterday."

Everyone was surprised--everyone except the speaker and the person
addressed, that is--but Heman's surprise was most manifest. His hand was
on the knob of the door, but now he turned.

"In HIS office?" he repeated. "Kendrick, was he in to see YOU?"

John bowed assent. "Yes," he said. "He seems to be contemplating
retaining a sort of--of resident attorney to look after his local
affairs. I mentioned your name, Daniels."

Mr. Daniels went out. The door banged behind him.

A half hour later, after Mr. Hammond also had gone to join the
marshmallow toasters and Miss Timpson had retired to her room, John told
the others the story. Mr. E. Holliday Kendrick HAD called upon him at
his office and he