y, on any business, with a
fraud, or a man of straw.

"3d. That I am the legal assignee of all the patents originally
issued to Paul Benedict, which I have used and am now using. I hold
his assignment in the desk on which I write this letter, and it
stands duly recorded in Washington, though, from my ignorance of the
law, it has only recently been placed upon the books in the Patent
Office.

"Permit me to say, in closing, that, as I bear you no malice, I will
show you the assignment at your pleasure, and thus relieve you from
the danger of entering upon a conspiracy to defraud me of rights
which I propose, with all the means at my disposal, to defend.

"Yours, ROBERT BELCHER."

Mr. Belcher read over this letter with great satisfaction. It seemed to
him very dignified and very wise. He had saved his ten thousand dollars
for a while, at least, and bluffed, as he sincerely believed, his
dreaded antagonist.

Mr. Balfour did more than to indulge in his professional smile, over the
frank showing of the General's hand, and the voluntary betrayal of his
line of defence. He filed away the note among the papers relating to the
case, took his hat, walked across the street, rang the bell, and sent up
his card to Mr. Belcher. That self-complacent gentleman had not expected
this visit, although he had suggested it. Instead, therefore, of
inviting Mr. Balfour to his library, he went down to the drawing-room,
where he found his visitor, quietly sitting with his hat in his hand.
The most formal of courtesies opened the conversation, and Mr. Balfour
stated his business at once. "You were kind enough to offer to show me
the assignment of Mr. Benedict's patents," he said. "I have called to
see it."

"I've changed my mind," said the General.

"Do you suspect me of wishing to steal it?" inquired Mr. Balfour.

"No, but the fact is, I wrote my note to you without consulting my
lawyer."

"I thought so," said Mr. Balfour. "Good-day, sir."

"No offence, I hope," said Mr. Belcher, with a peculiar toss of the
head, and a laugh.

"Not the least," said the lawyer, passing out of the door.

The General felt that he had made a mistake. He was in the habit of
making mistakes in those days. The habit was growing upon him. Indeed,
he suspected that he had made a mistake in not boldly exhibiting his
assignment. How to manage a lie, and not be managed by it, was a
question that had puzzled wise