He caught hold of my arm. For a man of sixty-five he was immensely strong. The grip of his fingers was like iron. 'Listen,' he said. 'I've found what I've been looking for all my life. Neither you nor anybody — not even my son — is going to rob me of that. Take my offer and go — before it is too late.'
'No,' I said again.
'Don't be a fool,' he cried. Take it and get out. If you don't — " He stopped and half-turned. The light of another lamp was shining on us.
Take what?' It was Captain Manack's voice. The question was strung tight like a bow string. We must have been so lost in our altercation that we had not noticed him coming along the gallery.
'I have told him that I will not allow the sea to be let in here,' his father said. 'I have offered to pay him what you would pay him if he will go.'
'And what will you pay him with?' sneered his son. 'With my money. Oh no. He stays until he's finished the job.'
'You intend to go through with this plan?' The old man's voice quavered.
'Yes,' his son replied.
'Then, sir, I must order you off my property.' The old man had a strange dignity. 'I have no alternative,' he added sadly. Though it is hard for me to say this to my own son.'
'Your own property?' Captain Manack laughed. 'I know how you got this property. If you want me to leave Wheal Garth then you'll have to get the police to shift me. And you won't do that, will you, Father?'