Doctor Jones, the city would soon be bankrupt of resources."

"That is true," agreed Keith.

"Then cannot I appeal to your sense of civic patriotism?"

"Gentlemen," replied Keith, "you seem to forget that in this matter I am
not acting for myself, but for a client. If it were my affair, I might feel
inclined to discuss the matter with you more in detail. But I am only an
agent."

"But----" interrupted Hooper again.

"That is quite true," interjected James King of William.

"Well, we shall see your client," went on Geary, "But I might state that on
the side of his own best interests he would do well to go slow. There is at
least a considerable doubt as to the legality of this sale. It is unlikely
that people will care to bid."

After some further polite conversation they took their leave. Keith quickly
discovered that the opinion held by the commissioners was shared by most of
his friends. They acknowledged the brilliance of his legal victory, admired
it heartily, and congratulated him; but they considered that victory
barren.

"Nobody will buy; you won't get two bits a lot bid," they all told him.

Little Doctor Jones came to him much depressed. The commissioners had
talked with him.