"There isn't. Coldman will stick to what he said if the thing is ever
tried, which it won't be."

Peter eyed Dummer without changing a muscle. "The District Attorney
told me that it ought to be in the courts in a couple of weeks."

Dummer smiled blandly, and slowly closed one eye. "The District Attorney
tries to tell the truth," he said, "and I have no doubt he thought that
was what he was telling you. Now, name your figure?"

"The civil suits will not be compromised till the criminal one is
finished."

"But I tell you the criminal one is dead. Squashed. Bohlmann and I have
seen the right people, and they've seen the District Attorney. That case
won't even go to the grand jury. So now, drop it, and say what you'll
settle the civil suits for?"

"James Coldman shall go to prison for killing those children," said
Peter, "and till he does, it is waste time to talk of dropping or
settling anything."

"Humph," half laughed the lawyer, though with obvious disgust at the
mulishness in Peter's face and voice. "You think you know it all. But
you don't. You can work for ten years, and that case will be no nearer
trial than it is to-day. I tell you, young man, you don't know New
York."

"I don't know New York," said Peter, "but--"