"Well sir," he continued in a sulky growl, "it was this way. Santiago spotted Belcher, and asked him what he was up to. Belcher would not tell, but in the end, the Don got the truth out of him. Then he said that if Belcher and me could catch Frisco we could get a bigger sum of money, than by watching him. Belcher was always anxious to know what was at the back of all this. When he heard it was the Carr murder case, he saw it was a big thing for him and me. So he said he would let the Don go, if he helped him to catch Frisco. Then the Don showed us the cipher--he wrote it out himself, and put it in the newspaper. Frisco came to the place, and me and Belcher had a detective and a warrant. We caught him easy. He is now in quod sir."
"And Santiago is on the high seas on his way to Mexico. You are a precious pair of scoundrels Kidd. Why did you tell Mr. Joyce that I had managed all this business?"
"It was the Don as asked us to do that sir."
"To make trouble I suppose," said Herrick rising, "you send Belcher to see me at the Guelph hotel this evening. I have something to say to him."
"Take care sir. The ferret ain't an easy man to tackle."
Herrick paused at the door and looked the big man up and down. "Confound your insolence," he said, "do you think you or that rat can stand up against me. I can ruin you both if I choose, and stop your getting that reward. As for Belcher, if he is impudent I'll wring his neck."
"I am sorry we did it sir."
"You may well be," was Herrick's grim reply.
"But I ain't going to be bullied by anyone," said Kidd with sudden anger.
"That is quite enough my man," replied Dr. Jim opening the door and speaking quietly, "if you try that game, you'll get the worst of it."