Didn't you hear
me tell that girl and her villainous avuncular relative last night
that I had another ace up my kimono?"
Bryce nodded.
"That was not brag, old dear. I had the ace, and this morning I
played it--wherefore in my heart there is that peace that passeth
understanding--particularly since I have just had a telegram
informing me that my ace took the odd trick."
He opened a drawer in Bryce's desk and reached for the cigars he knew
were there.
"Not at all a bad cigar for ten cents. However--you will recall that
from the very instant we decided to cut in that jump-crossing, we
commenced to plan against interference by Pennington; in consequence
we kept, or tried to keep, our decision a secret. However, there
existed at all times the possibility that Pennington might discover
our benevolent intentions and block us with his only weapon--a
restraining order issued by the judge of the United States District
Court.
"Now, one of the most delightful things I know about a court is that
it is open to all men seeking justice--or injustice disguised as
justice. Also there is a wise old saw to the effect that battles are
won by the fellow who gets there first with the most men. The
situation from the start was absurdly simple. If Pennington got to
the District Court first, we were lost!"
"You mean you got there first?" exclaimed Bryce.
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