"I don't know but one man who is likely to do it," was answered.
"I might as well remain where I am as get into his hands--a sharper and a lawyer to boot. No, no. Better to bear the evils that we have, than fly to others that we know not of."
"You may get assistance somewhere else, but I am doubtful," said the man; and, bowing politely, passed on, and left me to my own unpleasant reflections.
Laxton made as quick work of the business as the nature of the case would admit, and in a very short time the property was advertised at public sale. As the time for the sale approached, the great desire to prevent the sacrifice that I was too well assured would take place, suggested the dernier resort of ailing upon Mason; but my prejudice against the man was so strong, that I could not get my own consent to do so.
On the day before the sale, I met the individual before alluded to.
"Then you have made up your mind to let that scoundrel, Laxton, fleece you out of your property?"
"If he did help me out of this difficulty," I replied, "it would only be to get me into a more narrow corner."
"You don't know any such thing," said the man, a different tone from any in which he had yet taken when Mason was the subject of our remarks.
"Think, for a moment, upon the basis of your prejudice; it lies mainly upon the assertion of Laxton, from your own experience has proved to be a scoundrel. The fact is, your estimate of Mason's character is entirely erroneous. Laxton hates him, because he has circumvented him more than a dozen times in his schemes of iniquity, and will circumvent him again, if I do not greatly err, provided you give him the opportunity of doing so."
There was force in the view. True enough; what confidence was there to be placed in Laxton's words? And if Mason had circumvented him; as was alleged, of course there was a very good reason for detraction.
"At what hour do you think I can see him?" said I.
"I believe he is usually in about twelve o'clock."
"Do so," returned the man; "and may your interview be as satisfactory as you can desire."
At twelve, precisely, I called upon Mason, not without many misgivings, I must own. I found my prejudices still strong; and as to the good result, I could not help feeling serious doubts. On entering his office, I found no one present but the individual under whose advice I had called.