Madison advanced with hand outstretched. Looking the broker straight in the eye, he said:
"I am very glad to know you, Mr. Brockton."
"Thank you," returned the New Yorker with forced cordiality.
The newspaper man shuffled uneasily on his feet, as if he realized the false position in which both of them were placed, but was ready enough, if only for convenience sake, to avoid hostilities. Indeed, the broker's easy and friendly manner entirely disarmed the antagonism that Madison had long been nursing. With a side glance, at Laura, he went on:
"I've heard a great deal about you and your kindness to Miss Murdock. Anything that you have done for her in a spirit of friendliness, I am sure all her friends must deeply appreciate, and I count myself in as one."
Brockton smiled amiably, as he replied:
"Then we have a great deal in common, Mr. Madison, for I also count Miss Murdock a friend, and when two friends of a friend have the pleasure of meeting, I daresay that's a pretty good foundation for them to become friends, too."
The big fellow nodded and showed his white teeth. With a determined effort not to show himself behind his rival in cordiality, he said:
"Whatever my opinion may have been of you, Mr. Brockton, before you arrived, now I have seen you—and I'm a man who forms his conclusions right off the bat—I don't mind saying you've agreeably surprised me. That's just a first impression, but they run kind o' strong with me."
Brockton carelessly flecked the ash from his cigar as he answered in the same tone: