and weakly rubbed his head with his hand, as if vaguely conscious that
the trouble was there.

Gradually the stupor began to pass off, his blood to circulate, and
his mind to realize the situation.

Rising feebly, as if a sudden age had fallen, on him, he went to the
door and gave orders that he must not be disturbed, and then sat down
to think. Half an hour later he sent for his lawyer, stated the case
to him, enjoined secrecy, and asked him to see Fox, hoping that it
might be a case of mere blackmailing bravado. Keen as Mr. Allen's
lawyer was, he had more than his match in the astute Mr. Fox. Moreover
the latter had everything in his favor. There had been a slight
infringement of the revenue laws, and though involving but small loss
to the government, the consequences were the same. The invoice would
be confiscated as soon as the facts were known. Mr. Fox had secured
ample proof of this.

Mr. Allen might be able to prove that there was no intention to
violate the law, as indeed there had not been. In fact, he had left
those matters to his subordinates, and they had been a little
careless, averaging matters, contenting themselves with complying with
the general intent of the law, rather than, with painstaking care,
conforming to its letter. Bat the law is very matter-of-fact, and can
be excessively literal when money is to be made by those who live by
enforcing or evading it, as may suit them. Mr. Fox could carry his
case, if he pressed it, and secure his share of the plunder. On
account of a very slight loss, Mr. Allen might be compelled to lose a
million.