“Send for Mr. Miller,” he said to the boy. Then he turned, and with Peter went over the court papers, till Mr. Miller put in an appearance.
“State the matter to Mr. Miller,” said the Governor, and Peter read his paper again and told what he wished.
“The power unquestionably exists,” said the Attorney-General. “But it has not been used in many years. Perhaps I had better look into it a bit.”
“Go with Mr. Miller, Mr. Stirling, and work over your papers with him,” said the Governor.
“Thank you,” said Peter simply, but his hand and face and voice said far more, as he shook hands. He went out with the first look of hope his face had worn for two years.
The ground which the Attorney-General and his subordinates had to traverse was that over which Peter had so well travelled already, that he felt very much at home, while his notes indeed aided the study, and were doubly welcomed, because the summer season had drained the office of its underlings. Half as assistant, and half as principal, he worked till three o’clock, with pleasure that grew, as he saw that the opinion of the Attorney-General seemed to agree more and more with his own. Then they returned to the Governor, to whom the Attorney-General gave his opinion that his present conclusion was that the Governor could empower him, or some appointee, to prosecute the case.
“Well,” said the Governor, “I’m glad you think so. But if we find that it isn’t possible, Mr. Stirling, I’ll have a letter written to the District Attorney that may scare him into proceeding with the case.”
Peter thanked him, and rose to go.
“Are you going to New York at once?” asked the Governor.
“Yes. Unless I can be of use here.”