Loring’s smile was a wordless sarcasm.

“It’s the reward of virtue,” he said ironically.  “We were not in the list of subscribers to the conditional fund for purchasing a certain veto which didn’t materialize.”

“And for that very reason, if for no other, we may look out for squalls,” Kent asserted.  “Jasper G. Bucks has a long memory; and just now the fates have given him an arm to match.  I am fortifying everywhere I can, but if the junto has it in for us, we’ll be made to sweat blood before we are through with it.”

“Which brings us back to Senator Duvall.  Is it worth while trying to do anything with him?”

“Oh, I don’t know.  I’m opposed to the method—­the bargain and sale plan—­and I know you are.  Turn him over to me if he comes in again.”

When Kent had dictated a letter in answer to Hunnicott’s, he dismissed the Varnum matter from his mind, having other and more important things to think of.  So, on the Friday, when the case was reached on Judge MacFarlane’s docket—­but really, it is worth our while to be present in the Gaston court-room to see and hear what befalls.

When the Varnum case was called, Hunnicott promptly moved for a third continuance, in accordance with his instructions.  The judge heard his argument, the old and well-worn one of the absence of important witnesses, with perfect patience; and after listening to Hawk’s protest, which was hardly more than mechanical, he granted the continuance.

Then came the after-piece.  Court adjourned, and immediately Hawk asked leave to present, “at chambers,” an amended petition.  Hunnicott was waylaid by a court officer as he was leaving the room; and a moment later, totally unprepared, he was in the judge’s office, listening in some dazed fashion while Hawk went glibly through the formalities of presenting his petition.

Not until the papers were served upon him as the company’s attorney, and the judge was naming three o’clock of the following afternoon as the time which he would appoint for the preliminary hearing, did the local attorney come alive.

“But, your Honor!—­a delay of only twenty-four hours in which to prepare a rejoinder to this petition—­to allegations of such astounding gravity?” he began, shocked into action by the very ungraspable magnitude of the thing.

“What more could you ask, Mr. Hunnicott?” said the judge, mildly.  “You have already had a full measure of delay on the original petition.  Yet I am willing to extend the time if you can come to an agreement with Mr. Hawk, here.”

Hunnicott knew the hopelessness of that and did not make the attempt.  Instead, he essayed a new line of objection.

“The time would be long enough if Gaston were the headquarters of the company, your Honor.  But in such a grave and important charge as this amended petition brings, our general counsel should appear in person, and——­”

“You are the company’s attorney, Mr. Hunnicott,” said the judge, dryly; “and you have hitherto been deemed competent to conduct the case in behalf of the defendant.  I am unwilling to work a hardship to any one, but I can not entertain your protest.  The preliminary hearing will be at three o’clock to-morrow.”