She nodded.
“I take it that you knew what he had in mind when he came here?”
Again she nodded.
“And you’re satisfied to have me accept employment under those conditions?”
Again there was a nod.
Mason straightened in his chair, turned to Peltham, and said, “All right. Sit down. Let’s get down to brass tacks… You want me to represent this woman. I don’t know who she is. Perhaps tomorrow morning someone will walk in and ask me to take a case. I’ll accept the employment. Later on, this woman will announce that she’s the adverse party in that case, and hand me the rest of this ten-thousand-dollar bill. I’d then find myself retained on both sides of the same case.
“I think that explains my position. I can’t do it. What you ask is impossible. I’m interested, but I can’t do it.”
Peltham raised his left hand to his head. The tips of his fingers massaged the left temple. He was silent for an interval. “All right,” he said at length. “Here’s how we’ll get around that. You’re free to take any case except one that involves matters in which I am apparently directly or indirectly interested. If such a case should come to your office, you will get my permission before you accept the employment.”
“How can I get that permission?” Mason asked. “In other words, how can I get in touch with you? Will you be instantly available?”
Again Peltham rubbed his temple for several seconds of thoughtful deliberation. Then he said, “No.”