“Very well, then, Mr. Leresche, about to-morrow? Eleven o’clock?”
“Yes, sir,” replied Leresche, “and then I hope to begin to open the business part of my case.”
“By all means,” said Higgin, “eleven o’clock, gentlemen.”
As the two brothers were going downstairs the elder tapped the junior on the shoulder.
“Come and have a whisky with me, Donald.”
“I will, Ronald.”
“I tell you what it is, Donald. We’re being had on a bit here.”
“I’m thinking the same, Ronald.”
They retired into the snug bar, and spent a friendly hour together. The next morning at eleven all met except Ronald and Donald. Their solicitors with blank faces produced letters from their clients that the litigation was over, and would they each send in their bills.
“Ah!” said Higgin, smiling pleasantly at the disconsolate Leresche. “To hear you read those Scots deeds would take the fight out of the most litigious. I ought to have stopped you. But, never mind, we have one consolation. Blessed are the peacemakers.”