Part 50 (1/2)
”What do you mean by that?”
”I mean she can work him if she tries, the same way she worked Hilliard.”
”Marsh isn't in the mood to listen to arguments. I have tried that.”
”Who said anything about arguments? You know what I mean.”
”I don't care to listen to that sort of talk.”
”Why not? I'm ent.i.tled to have my say in things.” Clyde was growing indignant. ”I put in ten thousand of my own money and twenty-five thousand besides, on your a.s.surances. That's thirty-five thousand more than you put up--”
”Nevertheless, it doesn't give you the right to insult the girl.”
”Insult her! Bah! You're no fool, Boyd. Why did Hilliard advance that loan?”
”Because he wanted to, I dare say.”
”What's the use of keeping that up? You know as well as I do that she worked him, and worked him well. She'd do it again if you asked her. She'd do anything for you.”
Boyd broke out roughly: ”I tell you. I've heard enough of that talk, Alton. Anybody but an idiot would know that Cherry is far too good for what you suggest. And when you insult her, you insult me.”
”Oh, she's _good_ enough,” said Clyde. ”They're all good, but not perhaps in the way you mean--”
”How do you know?”
”_I_ don't know, but Fraser does. He's known her for years. Haven't you, Fraser?” But the adventurer's face was like wood as they turned toward him.
”I don't know nothing,” replied ”Fingerless” Fraser, with an admirable show of ignorance.
”Well, judge for yourself.” Clyde turned again to Emerson. ”Who is she?
Where did she come from? What is she doing here alone? Answer that. Now, she's interested in this deal just as much as any of us, and if you don't ask her to take a hand, I'm going to put it up to her myself.”
”You'll do nothing of the sort!” Boyd cried, savagely.
Clyde rose hastily, and his voice was shaking with excitement as he stammered:
”See here, Boyd, you're to blame for this trouble, and now you either get us out of it or buy my stock.”
”You know that I can't buy your stock.”
”Then I'll sell wherever I can. I've been stung, and I want my money. Only remember, I offered the stock to you first.”
”You've got a swell chance to make a turn in Kalvik,” said Fraser. ”Why don't you take it to Marsh?”
”I will!” declared Alton.
”You wouldn't do a trick like that?” Emerson questioned, quickly.
”Why not? You won't listen to my advice. You're playing with other people's money, and it doesn't matter, to you whether you win or lose. If this enterprise fails, I suppose you can promote another.”