“It’s an infernal lie!” Moran shouted.
“There, there,” said the big man. “If Mr. Ashe is lying we’ll see you have satisfaction. Just prove the burning of the trestle; well let the other matters go for another day.”
Zaanan went to the door and called. Steve Gilders came in, rifle under his arm, pushing another individual before him.
“Here’s your proof,” said Zaanan, dryly. “Go ahead, Steve.”
“This here feller,” said Steve, “burned the trestle last night. Soaked her with oil and touched her off. Then he took a shot at Mr. Ashe there—and thought he’d got him. Calc’late he thought so till this minnit, for he hain’t heard nothin’ to the contrary. Now, Kowterski, I seen you. Who told you to burn that there trestle?”
“He did,” said Kowterski, pointing to Moran.
Moran sprang toward Kowterski, but Gilders shifted his rifle. “Don’t go prancin’ round. I guess you know I wouldn’t grieve none if I was forced to hurt you, Moran.”
“Moran,” said the big man, “this isn’t altogether unexpected. My good friend, Judge Frame, has been in touch with me, and we’ve done a bit of investigating ourselves. Now I’ll tell you what we’re going to do, Wilkins and I. We’ve held you up; you had us on the blind side. Personally I don’t like to be fooled. It r’iles me, and I’m good and plenty r’iled. We sha’n’t press the incendiarism charge. Putting you in prison wouldn’t make me any happier; but busting you would. This locality won’t be broken-hearted to see you removed from it. Your notes are due; we shall not renew. Our attorneys have been notified to take the usual steps to realize on your collateral. Now if I were you I’d clear out. We haven’t any more use for you here.”
Moran protested, threatened, raved. When he was done and the room was rid of him, the big man turned to Jim:
“I hear you’ve earned a name, young man. Sudden Jim, is it? A good name, and your father’ll be glad to hear of it. Maybe I can give you a piece of news. Saw Welliver and Jenkins yesterday. They’re through. The Clothespin Club will be good if you’ll cry quits. Meeting next week in Grand Rapids, and you’d better go.”