fteen minutes. Mr. Belcher sat down in the ante-room, took
a newspaper from his pocket, and began to read. Then he took a pen and
scribbled, writing his own name with three other names, across which he
nervously drew his pen. Then he drew forth his knife, and tremblingly
dressed his finger-nails. Having completed this task, he took out a
large pocket-book, withdrew a blank check, filled and signed it, and put
it back. Realizing, at last, that Talbot was waiting to go in with him,
he said:

"By the way, Toll, this business of mine is private."

"Oh, I understand," said Talbot; "I'm only going in to make sure that
Cavendish remembers you."

What Talbot really wished to make sure of was, that Cavendish should
know that he had brought him his client.

At last they heard a little bell which summoned the boy, who soon
returned to say that Mr. Cavendish would see them. Mr. Belcher looked
around for a mirror, but discovering none, said:

"Toll, look at me! Am I all right? Do you see anything out of the way?"

Talbot having looked him over, and reported favorably they followed the
boy into the penetralia of the great office, and into the presence of
the great man. Mr. Cavendish did not rise, but leaned back in his huge,
carved chair, and rubbed his hands, pale in their morning whiteness, and
said, coldly:

"Good morning, gentlemen; sit down."

Mr. Talbot declined. He had simply brought to him his friend, General
Belcher, who, he believed, had a matter of business to propose. Then,
telling Mr. Belcher that he should leave the coupe at his service, he
retired.

Mr. Belcher felt that he was already in court. Mr. Cavendish sat behind
his desk in a judicial attitude, with his new client fronting him. The
latter fell, or tried to force himself, into a jocular mood and bearing,
according to his custom on serious occasions.

"I am likely to have a little scrimmage," said he, "and I shall want
your help, Mr. Cavendish."

Saying this, he drew forth a check for a thousand dollars, which he had
drawn in the ante-room, and passed it over to the lawyer. Mr. Cavendish
took it up listlessly, held it by its two ends, read its face, examined
its back, and tossed it into a drawer, as if it were a suspicious
sixpence.

"It's a thousand dollars," said Mr. Belcher, surprised that the sum had
apparently made no impression.

"I see--a retainer--thanks!"

All the time the hawk-eyes were looking into Mr. Belcher. All the time
the scalp