do not accept, or propose an equally reasonable method of arriving at the
truth.”
Weems opened his mouth, changed his mind, looked up and down the faces of
the learned witnesses, and faced the bench. “We accept, your honor.”
“Very well. Arrange the details between you. The temporary injunction is
lifted, and Dr. Pinero must not be molested in the pursuit of his business.
“Decision on the petition for permanent injunction is reserved without
prejudice pending the accumulation of evidence. Before we leave this matter
I wish to comment on the theory implied by you, Mr. Weems, when you claimed
damage to your client. There has grown up in the minds of certain groups in
this country the notion that because a man or corporation has made a profit
out of the public for a number of years, the government and the courts are
charged with the duty of guaranteeing such profit in the future, even in
the face of changing circumstances and contrary to public interest. This
strange doctrine is not supported by statute nor common law. Neither
individuals nor corporations have any right to come into court and ask that
the clock of history be stopped, or turned back.”
Bidwell grunted in annoyance. “Weems, if you can’t think up anything better
than that, Amalgamated is going to need a new chief attorney. It’s been ten
weeks since you lost the injunction, and that little wart is coining money
hand over fist. Meantime, every insurance firm in the country’s going
broke. Hoskins, what’s our loss ratio?”
“It’s hard to say, Mr. Bidwell. It gets worse every day. We’ve paid off
thirteen big policies this week; all of them taken out since Pinero started
operations.”
A spare little man spoke up. “I say, Bidwell, we aren’t accepting any new
applicants for United, until we have time to check and be sure that they
have not consulted Pinero. Can’t we afford to wait until the scientists
show him up?”
Bidwell snorted. “You blasted optimist! They won’t show him up. Aldrich,
can’t you face a fact? The fat little pest has something; how, I don’t
know. This is a fight to the finish. If we wait, we’re licked.” He threw
his cigar into a cuspidor, and bit savagely into a fresh one. “Clear out of
here, all of you! I’ll handle this my own way. You, too, Aldrich. United
may wait, but Amalgamated won’t.”
Weems cleared his throat apprehensively. “Mr. Bidwell, I trust you will
consult me before embarking on any major change in policy?”
Bidwell grunted. They filed out. When they were all gone and the door
closed, Bidwell snapped the switch of the inter-office announcer. “O.K.;
send him in.”
The outer door opened. A slight, dapper figure stood for a moment at the
threshold. His small, dark eyes glanced quickly about the room before he
entered, then he moved up to Bidwell with a quick, soft tread. He spoke to
Bidwell in a flat, emotionless voice. His face remained impassive except
for the live, animal eyes. “You wanted to talk to me?”
“Yes.”
“What’s the proposition?”
“Sit down, and we’ll talk.”
Pinero met the young couple at the door of his inner office.
“Come in, my dears, come in. Sit down. Make yourselves at home. Now tell
me, what do you want of Pinero? Surely such young people are not anxious
about the final roll call?”
The boy’s pleasant young face showed slight confusion. “Well, you see, Dr.
Pinero, I’m Ed Hartley and this is my wife, Betty. We’re going to have . .
. that is, Betty is expecting a baby and, well—”
Pinero smiled benignly. “I understand. You want to know how long you will
live in order to make the best possible provision for the youngster. Quite
wise. Do you both want readings, or just yourself?”
The girl answered, “Both of us, we think.”
Pinero beamed at her. “Quite so. I agree. Your reading presents certain
technical difficulties at this time, but I can give you some information
now. Now come into my laboratory, my dears, and we’ll commence.”
He rang for their case histories, then showed them into his workshop. “Mrs.
Hartley first, please. If you will go behind that screen and remove your