"I've already made up my mind that it would be safer to keep you out of it."
"That's your last word?"
"Yes. I don't mean to be offensive. It's a matter of business."
His companion took up his hat. He had failed, as indeed he had half expected to do, but he bade Hunter good-evening tranquilly and went out with strong resentment in his heart. Henceforward he meant to adopt an aggressive policy, and the farmer who had thwarted him must stand upon his guard. This decision, however, was largely prompted by business reasons, for Nevis had now no doubt that Hunter, who was looked up to as a leader by his neighbors, would use his influence against him in other matters besides the creamery scheme unless something could be done to embarrass or discredit him. The farmer, he thought, was open to attack in two ways—through his wife and through the defaulting debtor he had befriended.
When Hunter walked out of the hotel a few minutes afterward he also was thinking of Winthrop. He found Thorne harnessing his team.
"Did Winthrop ever show you his mortgage deed or any other papers relating to his deal with Nevis?" he asked.
"No," answered Thorne; "I was only in his place three or four times. Why do you ask?"
"There's a point in connection with it that occurs to me; but I dare say he took them with him."
Hunter paused and flashed a quick glance at his companion.
"Do you know where he is?"