I wondered what kind of a hold he had on Judge Kingsley. My curiosity was aflame. It was not believable that he could ruin the judge financially, for the Kingsleys had possessed wealth for many generations. Celene Kingsley, as the petted daughter of our village aristocrat, was too far above me for any hopes to bear fruit, even though they budded. But what would the Kingsleys be after my uncle had worked out his revenge, of whose success he seemed to be so sure?
“I know there has been trouble between the families, Uncle Deck,” I said. “I know we were not used right in money matters. But what is it you’re going to do to Judge Kingsley? What is your grip on him?”
He wiped his mouth with the palm of his hand and set back the bottle. “None of your d———d business!”
“I don’t like to go into anything blindfolded. I have business to consider, and I’ll have to make explanations.
“You’ll get off better by making ’em to the men who have hired you than by explaining to me, if you don’t do what I tell you to do.”
“But I’m no kid any longer. I’m running my own affairs, sir. If you can’t let me in on the plans of this thing—”
He advanced on me, waggling his fist. “You’re a devil of a fellow to come and pump me for secrets, you are! What do you want to do—run to him again like you did in the case of that hoss trade? Do you think I have forgotten that?”
“No, and I know you never will, sir.”
“And so I say now, ask no questions and do as I tell you.”
I edged toward the door, for I was pretty well mixed up in my own thoughts and did not care to get into any more of a row with my uncle—and all needlessly.