Page:"A modern Hercules", the tale of a sculptress (IA amodernherculest00wins).pdf/36

30 The young Russian gazed with awe on the great array of books and files, and wondered what could possibly have been the reason why any lawyer should have requested his presence.

After a while he was ushered into the presence of Mr. Salmon, and stood rather fearingly waiting for what was coming. He was rather like a dog at bay. He had had such an amount of silent agony throughout his life, that he was in that passive frame of subjected mind, that he was ready for and could bear almost anything.

"Take a seat, sir," said Mr. Salmon.

Paul dropped into the first chair, and still spoke not.

"I am a lawyer, sir," said Mr. Salmon.

"So I saw by your letter head; but how does that concern me? I have no lawsuits."

"That may be true, but strange things come to us at times."

"True," said Paul, growing somewhat restless, "why have you sent for me?"

"Before I can entirely tell you, I must ask a few questions, to which I must have frank and truthful answers."

"Having nothing at stake," said Paul, "I have no inducement to lie."

"You are a Russian by birth?"

"I am."

"Your father abandoned you in this city years ago, returned to Russia, and you have not heard from him since?"

Paul jumped up. "How do you know all this"

"Sit down and calm yourself," soothingly said the man of law. "I mean you naught but good."

"Well, go on," said the impatient fellow.