"Two ladies?" echoed Quinney, thinking of Mabel Dredge.
"I allude, sir, to Mrs. Quinney. She insists upon leaving you, if her child is turned out. That rather complicates matters."
"It does," said Quinney grimly.
"Under these circumstances, gentlemen, I feel justified in bringing pressure to bear. Mr. Hunsaker, who bought certain chairs yesterday, will call again this morning. He is naturally interested in the history of the chairs; and he might make trouble if he knew all the facts about them as known to you, Mr. Tomlin, to Mr. Quinney, and to me. I may add that my responsibility in the affair is negligible."
"Slick talker," muttered Quinney. He could see that Tomlin was much impressed by James's manner. The big fellow grunted uneasily:
"What do you propose?"
"A compromise, Mr. Tomlin."
Quinney lost something of his dignity, when he jerked out:
"He's compromised my Posy, and many another pore girl, I'll be bound!"
"Pardon me, sir. That sort of talk before a witness is libellous."