"I didn't; it was Stumpy. He let the boy get hold of Nick Weaver's statement, and that started the thing. Then the boy stole some of my papers that were in my desk, and how much information he has now I don't know."
"All your own fault," responded Holtzmann, coolly. "Why don't you destroy all the evidence on hand?"
"Do you do that?" asked Mr. Woodward, furiously.
"I do when I think it isn't going to do me any more good," replied Holtzmann, evasively.
"Have you destroyed all the evidence in this matter?"
Holtzmann closed one eye. "I'm not so green as you take me to be," he replied impressively. "All my evidence against you is locked up in my safe."
"You intend to use it against me?" said the merchant.
"Only if it becomes necessary."
"And yet you pretend to be a friend of mine."
"I was until you cheated me out of my fair share of the spoils. But I am satisfied, and willing to let the whole matter rest."