“Yes, but it is such a nice case,” Levy still pleaded.  “You need not appear in it at all if you don’t want to.  Mr. Buckner can become the plaintiff, and it need not cost you anything.  We can make Mr. Gorham pay all the bills.”

“That’s enough of that,” was the sharp reply.  “Now, what was it that you found out about Mrs. Gorham’s early history?”

Levy accepted the inevitable with equanimity, contenting himself with a gesture which expressed more than words.

“I have learned that after her child’s death Mrs. Gorham, then Mrs. Buckner, disappeared for a period of two weeks, during which time she is alleged to have lived in a prospector’s shack alone with him.  Do you catch the significance?”

Covington again held out his hand, taking the second affidavit, which he scrutinized with the same care he gave the first.

“This is merely the unconfirmed statement of a prejudiced party,” he remarked; “it is of no value unless you could prove it.”

Levy smiled.  “My dear Mr. Covington, we can prove anything—­that is our business.”

“Well”—­Covington rose—­“you seem to have carried out your end of the affair.”  He drew a roll of bills from his pocket.  “Here is the balance due you.  If I decide to make use of these documents, I will see you again and make a trade.  Kindly give me an acknowledgment of my payment.”

Levy held up a hand protestingly.  “I explained before that we never give receipts—­”

“Oh, yes; it had slipped my mind,” Covington acquiesced.

“I hope to see you again soon, Mr. Covington,” Levy said in parting.  “It is a nice case, such a nice case.”

The departing client gave no evidence that he heard the words, but after pushing his way to the street he drew a long breath, which might have indicated relief after sitting in the close office, or satisfaction that he held in his possession new weapons which could easily be made useful in case of need.

XVI

The mail-order business came to an abrupt end three months after Alice Gorham became its head.  This in no way reflected upon its management, but it was too trifling an enterprise for the Consolidated Companies to retain.  Covington was enthusiastic in his reports to Mr. Gorham regarding Alice’s proficiency and natural ability along business lines.  This experience had been an interesting and valuable one to her, he explained, but would it not accomplish the same purpose and be better for Miss Gorham—­still, of course, under his guidance—­to take personal charge of her own property and thus become thoroughly familiar with the various investments?

Gorham heartily approved of Covington’s suggestion, and so did Alice.  To the former it seemed to offer a natural vent for his daughter’s desires; to the girl it appeared as a real promotion.  It was not necessary for Covington to explain to his chief that the arrangement actually went into effect several weeks before it was submitted to him for his approval, nor did he take any credit to himself for the handsome profit in certain street railways stock, which netted Alice thirty thousand dollars as a result of her first investment.  In fact, he modestly cautioned his pupil to say nothing about it, on the ground that the next investment might show a loss, and her father would be interested only in final results.