"One word more, Mr. Ilingsworth, if you please," she said. And again turning to Beekman, she went on: "Eliot, you know that I have money in my own right—money to do with as I wish. Therefore, I retain you now, not on my own behalf, but on behalf of half a million depositors in three States, to start a fight to get that money back. We'll begin right now," she concluded, her voice ringing with determination, "with Giles Ilingsworth. You are retained by him...."
The fire leaped into Beekman's eyes; he sniffed with excitement.
"Half a million depositors!" he cried, hope growing in his voice. "That means half a million clients. I'm still a counsellor-at-law—the good old Appellate Division withstood all attempts to disbar me. Half a million clients—yes, I accept."
"What about the evidence?" queried Ilingsworth.
Beekman held up his hand.
"The Bank Le Boeuf of Buffalo—they charged these things. They must have evidence...."
"I can furnish some," said Ilingsworth.
"I have overheard Peter Wilkinson," faltered Madeline Braine.
"And so have I," cried Leslie; "and besides, everything is in my name, and I won't sign another paper or pay out another dollar until everybody has had his rights."