come in, is it? Well, and suppose I refuse to come in?"

"Regretfully I shall have to employ another attorney."

"Humph! Well?"

"But you won't refuse." The blue eyes opposite were still twinkling.
"In the first place, you're my good friend--my best friend. You
wouldn't be seen letting me start off on a wild-goose chase like this
without your guiding hand at the helm to see that I didn't come a
cropper."

"Aren't you getting your metaphors a trifle mixed?" This time the
lawyer's eyes were twinkling.

"Eh? What? Well, maybe. But I reckon you get my meaning. Besides, what
I want you to do is a mere routine of regular business, with you."

"It sounds like it. Routine, indeed!"

"But it is--your part. Listen. I'm off for South America, say, on an
exploring tour. In your charge I leave certain papers with
instructions that on the first day of the sixth month of my absence (I
being unheard from), you are to open a certain envelope and act
according to instructions within. Simplest thing in the world, man.
Now isn't it?"

"Oh, very simple--as you put it."

"Well, meanwhile I'll start for South America--alone, of course; and,