“Why not?”
“Because,” Mason told him, “you aren’t submitting a bill to Fremont C. Sabin for anything you did for him personally, you’re submitting a bill to the estate for things which were done to conserve the property during Sabin’s lifetime... at least, I suppose that’s the theory of it.”
“That’s the theory of it,” Bolding agreed.
“Well,” Mason said, “you haven’t conserved anything.”
Bolding flushed. “I can’t help it if a man dies before he carries out his plans.”
“No,” Mason observed, “I daresay you can’t. However, that would seem to be your loss, not ours. You’ve lost a client.”
“But under the law, I’m entitled to recover compensation for my services. A thousand dollars is a most reasonable charge.”
“Go right ahead,” Mason told him, “and recover your compensation. I was simply giving you a friendly tip that Sabin thinks your charges are too high. He’ll probably bring in a couple of the other experts, who have been waiting to take a rap at you, and have them testify that your fees are outrageous.”
“Are you trying to blackmail me?” Bolding asked.
“Just warning you,” Mason said.