Part 43 (2/2)
”I'm only speaking the truth. You virtually robbed me, just as you robbed my father and Mr. Bryant Ardell.”
”Ha!” Sloc.u.m leaped to his feet. ”Who--where did you hear of Bryant Ardell?” he asked, excitedly.
”I have met Nellie Ardell several times--in fact, I am boarding with her.”
”Did she set you to hounding me?”
”No; we met by accident after I had come to New York almost on purpose to see you.”
”She is an impudent young woman.”
”She told me that you had her land papers, just as you now have mine.”
”It's a falsehood!”
”If both of us go to court with our story, we may prove that it is not a falsehood.”
”Ha! are you going to combine to ruin my reputation?” cried the real estate dealer, growing pale.
”We are going to try to obtain our rights.”
”You'll gain nothing. I'll--I'll have you locked up on a charge of black-mail!” Alexander Sloc.u.m began to pace his office nervously. ”See here, Upton how much do you want to go off and leave me alone?” he questioned, suddenly.
”I want what is due my father.”
”You'll not get it!” he whispered, hoa.r.s.ely, throwing his mask aside. ”Do you think I have plotted and worked all these years for nothing? Not much!
All that property is mine, do you hear? n.o.body else shall ever own a foot of it. Now, I'll tell you what I am willing to do. I'll give you a hundred dollars in cash and we'll call it square. Mind you, I don't admit your claim. I only want to avoid trouble.”
Jerry looked at the man and drew a long breath. He could see through Sloc.u.m's words as clearly as he could see through the window. His father's claim was worth a fortune!
”Come, what do you say?” demanded Sloc.u.m as Jerry did not answer him.
”I say this, Mr. Sloc.u.m,” rejoined our hero. ”I won't accept your proposition, and before I am done with you I'll have our rights and you'll be in state's prison.”
With a snarl very much like that made by a fretful tiger, the man leaped toward the boy as if to grab him by the throat.
”You fool! I'll make you come to terms!”
His hand touched Jerry's collar, but the young oarsman evaded him and placed the flat-top desk between them. When the man ran around the desk, Jerry picked up a heavy bra.s.s-bound ruler.
”Stop, or I'll crack you with this!” cried our hero, and, seeing the weapon, Sloc.u.m halted.
”Don't be a fool, boy!”
”I don't intend to be.”
<script>