“I thought likely.”
“You know the interests of Mr. Sukes and myself were closely allied.”
Frank laughed.
“Yes; although Sukes was at the head of the concern, I know that you conspired with him to defraud me.”
“Have a care!” again warned Morgan. “You are now dealing with a man of power and influence.”
“I have dealt with such men before. As a bugaboo, the mere fact that you have money does not frighten me in the least, Mr. Morgan. If, like Sukes, you fancy that money gives you power to commit any fraud, like Sukes, you are to learn your mistake.”
“I know all about your scandalous attack on Mr. Sukes in Denver. I know of your attempted blackmailing of him, Merriwell. You did try to blackmail him, and you can’t deny it.”
“You lie, Morgan!” retorted Frank, with perfect control of himself.
“Then what was the meaning of your threat to expose his mining operations?”
“Morgan, Milton Sukes pitted himself against me and attempted to rob me of my mine. When he did so he aroused my fighting blood. He was defeated in every effort he made against me, and the decision against him in the courts of the Territory was the final blow that upset his plans. In the meantime I had learned that his Great Northwest Territory Mining Company was a swindle of the most outrageous sort. I had threatened to expose him, and, when he found himself whipped to a standstill, he sought to enter into a compact with me, by which I was to remain silent and let him go on with his dishonest work.