coldly: "I believe the terms of our business
arrangement were clearly understood at the beginning."

"Yes, but it is such a nice case," Levy still pleaded. "You need not
appear in it at all if you don't want to. Mr. Buckner can become the
plaintiff, and it need not cost you anything. We can make Mr. Gorham pay
all the bills."

"That's enough of that," was the sharp reply. "Now, what was it that you
found out about Mrs. Gorham's early history?"

Levy accepted the inevitable with equanimity, contenting himself with a
gesture which expressed more than words.

"I have learned that after her child's death Mrs. Gorham, then Mrs.
Buckner, disappeared for a period of two weeks, during which time she is
alleged to have lived in a prospector's shack alone with him. Do you
catch the significance?"

Covington again held out his hand, taking the second affidavit, which
he scrutinized with the same care he gave the first.

"This is merely the unconfirmed statement of a prejudiced party," he
remarked; "it is of no value unless you could prove it."

Levy smiled. "My dear Mr. Covington, we can prove anything--that is our
business."

"Well"--Covington rose--"you seem to have carried out your end of the
affair." He drew a roll of bills from his pocket. "Here is the balance
due you. If I decide to make use of these documents, I will see you
again and make a trade. Kindly give me an acknowledgment of my payment."

Levy held up a hand protestingly. "I explained before that we never give
receipts--"

"Oh, yes; it had slipped my mind," Covington acquiesced.

"I hope to see you again soon, Mr. Covington," Levy said in parting. "It
is a nice case, such a nice case."

The departing client gave no evidence that he heard the words, but after
pushing his way to the street he drew a long breath, which might have
indicated relief after sitting in the close office, or satisfaction that
he held in his possession new weapons which could easily be made useful
in case of need.

XVI

The mail-order business came to an abrupt end three months after Alice
Gorham became its head. This in no way reflected upon its management,
but it was too trifling an enterprise for the Consolidated Companies to
retain. Covington was enthusiastic in his reports to Mr. Gorham
regarding Alice's proficiency and natural ability along business lines.
This experience had been an interesting and valuable one to her, he
explained, but would it not accomplish