"Stop, or Hal shall go at once for the officer. Now, what I propose to do is this: I will keep this money and that pin and the one hundred and twenty-five dollars of salary coming to you and let the matter drop, so far as that crookedness in the books is concerned."
"And if I refuse?"
"Then Hal shall go for an officer, and you can stand trial."
Hardwick muttered something under his breath, not at all complimentary to his employer. He felt that he was in a tight place.
"There is no alternative?" he asked.
"None."
"And you will let this matter rest?"
"Yes. I wish to give you a chance to turn over a new leaf, if there is any turn over in you."
Hardwick hesitated for a moment.
"I accept," he said, doggedly.