Keith pondered, his alert mind seizing with avidity on this new and interesting situation.
"No, I cannot quite see that," he said at last; "the actual title is in the city. It owns its property. You gentlemen do not claim to own it, as individuals. You have delegated to you the power to pass title, just as the sheriff and one or two others have that power; but you have not the sole power."
"We have advice that title conveyed under this judgment will be invalid."
"That is a matter for the courts to settle."
"The courts——" began Hooper explosively, but Geary overrode him.
"If all the creditors of the city were to adopt the course pursued by
Doctor Jones, the city would soon be bankrupt of resources."
"That is true," agreed Keith.
"Then cannot I appeal to your sense of civic patriotism?"
"Gentlemen," replied Keith, "you seem to forget that in this matter I am not acting for myself, but for a client. If it were my affair, I might feel inclined to discuss the matter with you more in detail. But I am only an agent."
"But——" interrupted Hooper again.