“I’ll go to her; I’ll do your hell-work, but give me another day.” He gritted his teeth.
“Rivers, this is Tuesday. On Friday you must be gone, and remember this: I’ve got it in my power to set your wife free and imprison you and I’ll not hesitate to do it if you try any tricks. I’d advise you to keep clear of Maclin and leave whiskey alone. You’ll need all the power of concentration you can summon.” Then Northrup turned to the table and gathered up the scattered papers.
“What–––” Larry put out a trembling hand.
“I’ll take charge of these,” Northrup said. “I am going to give them to the Heathcotes. They’ll keep them with the other papers belonging to your wife.”
“Curse you!”
“Good morning, Rivers! I mean it, good morning! You won’t believe this either, but it’s so. For the sake of your wife and your little girl, I wish you well. When you send word to the inn that you are ready for the business deal I’ll have the money for you.”
Then Northrup opened the door and stepped out into the chill light of the coming day. He shivered and stumbled over a mass of rubbish. A clock struck in a quiet house.
“Five o’clock,” counted Northrup, and plunging his hands in his pockets he made his way to Twombley’s shack.