"Can you give me some definite idea as to when the fun begins?"

"No, but it will be soon enough, Andy. He wants the support of the best
element. He can't afford to offend it."

"And he knows you are my lawyer?" asked Gilmore still thoughtfully.

"Of course."

"Ain't that going to cut any figure with him?"

"Certainly not."

"Is that so, Marsh?" He crossed his legs and nursed an ankle with both
hands. "Well, somebody ought to lose Moxlow,--take him out and forget to
find him again. He's much too good for this world; it ain't natural.
He's about the only man of his age in Mount Hope who ain't drifted into
my rooms at one time or another." He paused and took the cigar from
between his teeth. "You call him off, Marsh, make him agree to let me
alone; ain't there such a thing as friendship in this profession of
yours?"

Langham shook his head, and again Gilmore's black brows met in a frown.
He made a contemptuous gesture.

"You're a hell of a lawyer!" he sneered.

"Be careful what you say to me!" cried Langham, suddenly giving way to
the feeling of rage that until now he had held in check.