"
"What business is that of yours?"
"None of my business---in one way---but a good deal of my business
in another way."
"I don't understand you, Barrock. Stop talking in riddles and get
down to business."
"Can I trust you, Mr. Felps? I mean, will you keep a secret?"
"That depends," answered Andrew Felps, coldly.
"I want to help you so that you can get the best of the Barnaby
people."
"How can you help me?"
"I'll tell you if you'll promise to keep the matter a secret."
"Hum!" The lumber merchant paused for a moment. "Well, go on."
"You won't give me away?"
"No."
"Well, when they got their right to that Spur Road tract certain
papers had to be signed."
"I know that."
"Then they had a fire at their sawmill."
"I know that, too."
"During that fire those papers disappeared."
"Ha!" cried Andrew Felps, with interest. "You are certain of that?"
"I am."
"And you---you-----" The lumber dealer paused.
"In a roundabout way I met the fellow who had the papers. For
a consideration he let me have them. If you want them you can
have them---provided you will pay the price.
Pages:
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230