Part 37 (1/2)
”h.e.l.lo, Rivers! I'm something of a surprise, eh?”
”h.e.l.l!” The word escaped Rivers as might a cry that followed a stunning blow.
A guilty person, taken by surprise, always imagines the worst. Rivers knew what he believed the man before him knew, he also believed much that Maclin had insinuated, or stated as fact, and he was thoroughly frightened and at a disadvantage.
His nerve was shattered by the recent interview with Mary-Clare; the earlier one with Maclin. Drink was befuddling him. It was like being in quicksand. He dared not move, but he felt himself sinking.
”Oh! don't take it too seriously, Rivers.” Northrup felt a decent sympathy for the fellow across the table; his fear was agonizing. ”We might as well get to an understanding without a preamble. I reckon there are a lot of things we can pa.s.s over while we tackle the main job.”
”You d.a.m.ned----” Larry spluttered the words, but Northrup raised his hand as if staying further waste of time. He hated to take too great an advantage of a caged man.
”Of course, Rivers,” he said, ”I wouldn't have broken into your house and read your letters if there wasn't something rather big-sized at stake. So do not switch off on a siding--let's get through with this.”
The tone and words were like a dash of icy water; Rivers moistened his lips and sank, mentally, into that position he loathed and yet could not escape. Someone was again getting control of him. He might writhe and strain, but he was caught once more--caught! caught!
”In G.o.d's name,” he whispered, ”who are you, anyway? What are you after?”
”That's what I'm here to tell you, Rivers.”
”Go ahead then, go ahead!” Larry again moistened his dry lips--he felt that he was choking. He was ready to turn state's evidence as soon as he saw an opportunity. Debonair and clever, crafty and unfaithful, Larry had but one clear thought--he would not go behind bars again if one avenue of escape remained open!
Maclin--Maclin's secret business, loomed high, but at that moment Mary-Clare held no part in his desperate fear.
”What do you want?”
Then, as if falling into his mood, Northrup said calmly:
”First, I want the Point.”
Larry's jaw dropped; but he felt convinced that it was Maclin or he who faced destruction and he meant to let Maclin suffer now as Maclin had once permitted him to suffer. If there was dirty work at the mines Maclin should pay. That was justice--Maclin had made a tool of him.
”I don't own the Point.” Rivers heard his own voice as if from a distance. He had Mary-Clare's word that she would help him; the letter had done its overpowering work, but he had left confession and detail until later. Mary-Clare had pleaded for time, and he had come from her with his business unsettled.
”I think after we've finished with our talk you can prevail upon your wife to sell the Point to me and say nothing about it.”
Rivers clutched the edge of the table. To his inflamed brain Northrup seemed to know all and everything--he dared not haggle.
”Who are you?” he repeated stammeringly. ”What right have you to break into my place and read my papers? All I want to know is, what right have you? I cannot be expected to--to come to terms unless I know that. I should think you might see that.” The bravado was so pitiful and weak that Northrup barely repressed a laugh.
”I don't want to turn the screws, Rivers,” he said; ”and of course you have a right to an answer to your question. I want the Point because I don't want Maclin to have it. Why he wants it, I'll find out after.
I'm illegally demanding things from you, but there are times when I believe such a course is justifiable in order to save everybody trouble. You could kick me out, or try to, but you won't. You could have the law on me--but I don't believe you will want it. Of course you know that _I_ know pretty well what I am about or I would not put myself in your power. So let's cut out the theatricals. Rivers, this Maclin isn't any good. Just how rotten he is can be decided later.
He's making a fool of you and you'll get a fool's pay. You know this.
I'm going to help you, Rivers, if I can. You need all the time there is for--getting away!”
Larry's face was livid. He was prepared to betray Maclin, but the old power held him captive.
”I dare not!” he groaned.
”Oh! yes, you dare. Brace up, Rivers. There is more than one way to tackle a bad job.” Then, so suddenly that it took Rivers's breath, Northrup swept everything from sight by asking calmly: ”What did you do with that letter you manufactured?”