Hence, after some coughing
and stamping, we elicited the shyster, who came
timorously forth, for all the world like a man in fear
of bodily assault, and then, recognising his guests,
suffered from what I can only call a nervous paroxysm
of courtesy.
"Mr. Pinkerton and partner!" said he. "I will go and
fetch you seats."
"Not the least," said Jim. "No time. Much rather
stand. This is business, Mr. Bellairs. This morning,
as you know, I bought the wreck FLYING SCUD."
The lawyer nodded.
"And bought her," pursued my friend, "at a figure out
of all proportion to the cargo and the circumstances,
as they appeared."
"And now you think better of it, and would like to be
off with your bargain? I have been figuring upon this,"
returned the lawyer. "My client, I will not hide from
you, was displeased with me for putting her so high. I
think we were both too heated, Mr. Pinkerton: rivalry--
the spirit of competition. But I will be quite frank--
I know when I am dealing with gentlemen--and I am
almost certain, if you leave the matter in my hands, my
client would relieve you of the bargain, so as you
would lose"--he consulted our faces with gimlet-eyed
calculation--"nothing," he added shrilly.
Pages:
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265