A. M. Chisholm

“ It annoyed him exceedingly to be blocked twice by the same trick, although he did not see how he could have helped it.
“As I told you, we don't want litigation just now,” said Garwood. “Without admitting Dingle's claim at all, we considered a settlement the easiest way.”
“No doubt,” said Locke dryly. “Well, you won't be able to buy off the next action. I'll take care of that.”
“You persist in your refusal to make terms?”
“That is a very cool way of putting it,” said Locke. “I tell you now, Garwood, I'm going after you, and when I get you I'll nail your hide to the sunny side of the barn.” ”

“ You'll see. Inside a year you won't have a case in any court.”
“You own a couple of judges, don't you?” said Locke cheerfully. “A nice pair they are, too. You think my clients will get the worst of it from them. Of course they will, but I appeal most of their decisions now. You can injure me to some extent, but not as much as you think. Go to it, Garwood. When I get through with you you'll be a discredited man.”
On the whole he considered that he had broken even with the railway magnate. The settlement of the Dingle action was a confession of weakness. ”

“ Garwood threw himself back in his chair.
“Then what do you want?”
“Several things,” said Locke. “I want a fair deal for my clients, Crooks and Kent. I want damages for the outrageous freight rate you made for their injury. They must have cars, hereafter, when they want them. The political ukase forbidding purchases from them must be withdrawn, and the markets must be thrown open to them again. The crooked system of double-check tenders for timber limits must be altered. And generally you must stop hammering these men and using your influence against them.” ”

“ He preferred the ribald, man's-size oaths of the shanty men, the crackling blasphemies which embellished their speech. In fact, though he did not know it, he was passing through a process of change; shedding the lightness of extreme youth, hardening a little, coming to the stature of a man. ”

“ There is no litigation against us now in which you are interested. We make you the offer in good faith, because you are the man for the job.”
“I have litigation pending against Ackerman and Garwood,” the lawyer informed him. “You didn't know that. So, you see, I have to refuse.”
Beemer took his departure, rather indignant at Ackerman for keeping him in the dark. But a few days afterward Hugh Garwood himself walked into Locke's office.
“My name is Garwood,” he announced.
“I know you by sight,” said Locke. “Sit down, Mr. Garwood.” ”

“ There was a discreet knock at the door.
“Telegram for you, Joe,” said Jack, taking the yellow envelope from the maid.
“May I?” said Joe, and tore it open. His face became a thunder-cloud. He bit back the words that rose to his lips.
“What is it?” asked Jack anxiously. “Not bad news?”
“Couldn't be much worse.” He held out the slip of yellow paper. She read:
Camp burnt out. McCane's crew. Wire instructions.
MacNutt.
Joe tore a leaf from a note-book and scribbled:
Hold men together and build new camp. ”

“ It was, in fact, a legal fishing expedition and little more. The object of it was to obtain information looking to an action by Crooks and Kent against the same defendants, with the Peninsular Railway added. ”