"Judge Holcomb around?"
"Yes."
"Well, you keep quiet about this." Armstrong rose. "It may all come to nothing, as usual."
He went to the office used by the committee of the Protective Association, where he found Judge Holcomb. The latter gave Armstrong a keen glance, and smiled.
"Congratulations, my boy! You look yourself—got your fighting clothes on again?"
"Lord, I must have been moping around here like a wet hen! Judge, I'm trying to run down something. Did you ever hear of a downtown law firm by the name of Milligan, Milligan, Hoyt & Brainard?"
The old judge leaned back.
"Did I ever hear of them? I did, to my sorrow. Haven't I ever told you about the time that Macgowan's law firm hooked me hard and fast?"
Armstrong thrilled suddenly. "But that firm isn't his—"
"That firm," said Judge Holcomb with decision, "is the one that handled my case for me. On the other side of the case was Macgowan's firm. And Macgowan was a very silent but active partner in Milligan et cetera! Oh, yes, they hooked me."