"You take their dirty money, and I don't refuse pay when I'm called in to attend the worst man in the West, whoever he may be.

Why, Burlingame, as your family physician, I shouldn't hesitate even to present my account against your estate if, in a tussle with the devil, he got you out of my hands." Now a large and friendly smile covered his face.

He liked hard hitting, but he also liked to take human nature as it was, and not to quarrel.
Burlingame, on his part, had no desire for strife with the Young Doctor.
He would make a very dangerous enemy.

His return smile was a great effort, however.

Ruefulness and exasperation were behind it.
The Young Doctor had only been gone a few minutes when Joel Mazarine entered Burlingame's office.