"You did make rather a mess of it," I admitted. "You ought to have consulted somebody about it--an attorney, for instance."
I spoke idly, without special meaning; but at my words Bolton's face softened into a glance of sardonic humor.
"Oh," he said slowly, "I don't know but what you are right. Come around to my office in a day or two, and we'll talk about the fee." He jumped to the conclusion that I was ready to accept a bribe, and he continued: "It'll be anything in reason, young man, anything in reason."
CHAPTER XII
THE LOTTERY TICKET
In the midst of the lull that followed the failure of Peter Bolton's assault on the fortifications of commerce, I was surprised to find on my office desk one morning the following letter:
RESPECTFUL SIR:
to yours we this day instructed to remind you that your presence is more than agreeable. Having placed to your credit a money sum drawn according to ticket, should be your worshipful servant to have presented for payment.
As ever your faithful,
KWAN LUEY & Co.