“‘The English was plain enough, but I failed to catch your idea. Will you permit me to make a few enquiries?’
“‘Certainly.’
“‘You remember I was present when the Attorney General told you that he had examined the transcript carefully, and not finding that the government has any case at all, ordered you to dismiss it.’
“He bowed, but did not speak.
“I continued: ‘The Attorney General did not request you or authorize you to review his opinion. He merely said you were to dismiss the appeal, and have the clerk of the court enter in the record the order of dismissal that same morning. Had you obeyed the Attorney General's order, you could not have had time to review his opinion, and find that it was incorrect. Has the Solicitor General the right, and is it incumbent upon him, to correct the Attorney General's acts and opinions?”
“‘You evidently do not understand our relative positions, and I have not the time to instruct you.’
“‘Whose positions do you mean?’
“‘Ours—mine and the Attorney General's.’
“‘Who is the head of the department—the Attorney General or the Solicitor?’
“‘The Attorney General.’