“Howdy, Marsh!” said his new-comer easily.

From his seat before his desk Langham scowled across at him.

“What the devil brings you here, Andy?” he asked, ungraciously enough.

Gilmore buried his hands deep in his trousers pockets and with one eye half closed surveyed the lawyer over the tip of his tilted cigar.

“You’re a civil cuss, Marsh,” he said lightly, “but one wouldn’t always know it.  Ain’t I a client, ain’t I a friend,—­and damn it all, man, ain’t I a creditor?  There are three excuses, any one of which is:  sufficient to bring me into your esteemed presence!”

“We may as well omit the first,” growled Langham, wheeling his chair back from the desk and facing Gilmore.

“Why?” asked Gilmore, lazily tolerant of the other’s mood.

“Because there is nothing more that I can do for you,” said Langham shortly.

“Oh, yes there is, Marsh, there’s a whole lot more you can do for me.  There’s Moxlow, the distinguished prosecuting attorney; without you to talk sense to him he’s liable to listen to all sorts of queer people who take more interest in my affairs than is good for them; but as long as he’s got you at his elbow he won’t forget my little stake in his election.”

“If you wish him not to forget it, you’d better not be so particular in reminding him of it; he’ll get sick of you and your concerns!” retorted Langham.

Gilmore laughed.

“I ain’t going to remind him of it; what have I got you for, Marsh?  It’s your job.”  He took a step nearer Langham while his black brows met in a sullen frown.  “I know I ain’t popular here in Mount Hope, I know there are plenty of people who’d like to see me run out of town; but I’m no quitter, they’ll find.  It suits me to stay here, and they can’t touch me if Moxlow won’t have it.  That’s your job, that’s what I hire you for, Marsh; you’re Moxlow’s partner, you’re your father’s son, it’s up to you to see I ain’t interfered with.  Don’t tell me you can’t do anything more for me.  I won’t have it!”

Langham’s face was red, and his eyes blazed angrily, but Gilmore met his glance with a look of stern insistence that could not be misunderstood.

“I have done what I could for you,” the lawyer said at last, choking down his rage.

“Oh, go to hell!  You know you haven’t hurt yourself,” said Gilmore insolently.

“Well, then, why do you come here?” demanded Langham.

“Same old business, Marsh.”  He lounged across the room and dropped, yawning, into a chair near the window.

There was silence between them for a little space.  Langham fussed with the papers on his desk, while Gilmore squinted at him over the end of his cigar.

“Same old business, Marsh!” Gilmore repeated lazily.  “What’s the enemy up to, anyhow?  Are the good people of Mount Hope worrying Moxlow?  Is their sleepless activity going to interfere with my sleepless profession, eh?  Can you answer me that?”