"Have you a proper lease on this house?" he asked at last.

"I believe so. Why?"

"I've been told there's some question about the title. Some one's bringing
suit against your landlord for possession on some ground or another."

"What of it? Suppose the other should win--could he put us out?"

"I don't know. That might depend on your present landlord's power to
make the lease at the time when he made it."

"But we signed the agreement in good faith. Surely, as long as we
pay the rent--?"

"I don't know, I'm sure. Well--if there's any trouble, come to me about
it and we'll see what can be done."

"But who is this who is bringing suit against the landlord?"

"I haven't heard his name--don't even know the details. I hope you'll
come out of it all right. Certainly I'll help in any way I can. Sometimes
a little influence, you know, exerted in the right way--well--Please give
my regards to your husband--Good morning, Mrs. Blaine."

It was a pet theory of his that few men pay enough attention to their
backs,--not that he preached it; preaching is tantamount to spilling beans,
supposing that the other fellow listens; and if he doesn't listen it is
waste of breath. But he bore in mind that people behind him had eyes