So he waited, hoping to see some move on the part of the State, and dreaming of nothing better.

But better came, for only five days after his return his mail brought him a large envelope, and inside that envelope was a special commission, which made Peter a deputy of the Attorney-General, to prosecute in the Court of Sessions, the case of "The People of the State of New York _versus_ James Goldman." If any one could have seen Peter's face, as he read the purely formal instrument, he would not have called it dull or heavy.

For Peter knew that he had won; that in place of justice blocking and hindering him, every barrier was crushed down; that this prosecution rested with no officials, but was for him to push; that that little piece of parchment bound every court to support him; that if necessary fifty thousand troops would enforce the power which granted it.

Within three hours, the first formal steps to place the case in the courts had been taken, and Peter was working at the evidence and law in the matter.
These steps produced a prompt call from Dummer, who showed considerably less assurance than hitherto, even though he tried to take Peter's success jauntily.

He wanted Peter to drop the whole thing, and hinted at large sums of money, but Peter at first did not notice his hints, and finally told him that the case should be tried.