“What is it?”
“The idea of anybody attempting to blackmail an actor—a traveling showman. It is enough to make a horse laugh. I doubt if such a remarkable thing ever happened before.”
Ephraim began to see the affair from Frank’s viewpoint, and his grin broadened with great rapidity.
“By gum!” he cried. “I never thought of that! I guess folks wouldn’t b’lieve it ef yeou was to tell um.”
“Still I fail to see what there is laughable about it,” snapped Bart. “The fellow knew you had money—Vance told him that.”
“Without doubt.”
“And he knew you were young. He fancied you would be easy game. Where is there anything funny about it?”
“I am an actor.”
“But you are a dead easy thing!” declared Bart. “Think of letting that woman go in such a manner!”
“Now, Hodge,” said Frank, with more seriousness, “after I have talked to you a bit, I rather fancy I can make you acknowledge that was the most sensible thing to do.”