The old gentleman indulged himself for a moment or two in an inward laugh or chuckle, and then said—
"Well, how are we to manage this sharp young attorney, who has arrayed his artillery in such a formidable style?"
"By paying him better for losing Malcolm's suit than Malcolm pays him for gaining it."
"Aha! is that your game? And you think this can be done?"
"I have no doubt of it."
"You think he can sacrifice his client if so disposed."
"Oh, yes. By the introduction of some defect in his bill, he can put it in my power to throw him out of court on a demurrer."
"But that will not settle the matter. Malcolm can order him or some other lawyer to begin de novo with an amended bill."
"True; but before that can be done the costs must all be paid. They may be made so heavy that Malcolm will find himself in no condition to settle them. Then, by executing what little he has, under an order of the court for the recovery of costs, we may break him up riot and branch, and so get rid of him in that way."
"You're a sharp set of boys," said old Mr. Harrison. "And I rather think a man's a fool to allow you to get him into your hands. If I'd paid this Malcolm the twenty-five thousand dollars he originally asked, I would have been wise. Now I shall think myself well off if I escape with a loss of double that sum."