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WYLDER'S HAA'D.
reversion; and you have gone into electioneering busi-
ness, and formed connections of that sort, without once
doing me the honor to confer with me on the subject.
Now, the plain question is, do you wish to retain my
services?"
"Certainly," said Captain Lake, biting his lip, with a
sinister little frown.
"Then, Captain Lake, you must dismiss at once from
vour mind the idea that you can do so upon the terms you
have of late seen fit to impose. I am speaking frankly
when I say there must be a total change. I must be in
reality what I am held out to the world as being — your
trusted, and responsible, and sole adviser. I don't aspire
to the position — I am willing at this moment to retire
from it; but I never yet knew a divided direction come to
good. It is an office of great responsibility, and I for one
will not consent to touch it on any other conditions than
those I have taken the liberty to mention.
"These are easily complied with — in fact I undertake
to show you they have never been disturbed," answered
Lake, rather sullenly. "So that being understood — eh?
— I suppose we have nothing particular to add?"
And Captain Lake extended his gloved hand to take
leave.
But the attorney looked down and then up, with a sha-
dow on his face, and his lip in his finger and thumb,
and he said —
"That's all very well, and a sine qua non, so far as it
goes; but, my dear Captain Lake, let us be plain. You
must see, my dear sir, with such rumors, possibly about
to get afloat, and such persons about to appear, as this
James Dutton, that matters are really growing critical, and
there's no lack of able solicitors who would, on speculation,
undertake a suit upon less evidence, perhaps, than may be