``No doubt,'' said Loeb dryly. ``And you have rights which the
law safeguards.''

``What shall I do?''

``Leave that to us. How much do you want--how much damages?''

``He ought to pay at least twenty-five thousand.''

Loeb shrugged his shoulders. ``Ridiculous!'' he said. ``Possibly
the five without the twenty. And how do you expect to pay us?''

``I'm somewhat pressed just at the moment. But I
thought''--Feuerstein halted.

``That we'd take the case as a speculation? Well, to oblige an
old client, we will. But you must agree to give us all we can
get over and above five thousand--half what we get if it's below
that.''

``Those are hard terms,'' remonstrated Feuerstein. The more he
had thought on his case, the larger his expectations had become.

``Very generous terms, in the circumstances. You can take it or
leave it.''

``I can't do anything without you. I accept.''

``Very well.'' Loeb took up his pen, as if he were done with