“And also how to prevent others from avoiding it,” he replied, suggestively. “Let us take up that phase, if it please you.”
“And if it doesn’t please?” asked Croyden, suppressing an inclination to laugh.
“Then let us take it up, any way—unless you wish to forfeit your find to the Government.”
“Proceed!” said Croyden. “We are arriving, now, at the pith of the matter. What do you offer?”
“We want an equal divide. We will take Parmenter’s estimate and multiply it by two, though jewels have appreciated more than that in valuation. Fifty thousand pounds is two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, which will total, according to the calculation, half a million dollars,—one half of which amount you pay us as our share.”
“Your share! Why don’t you call it properly—blackmail?” Croyden demanded.
“As you wish!” the other replied, airily. “If you prefer blackmail to share, it will not hinder the contract—seeing that it is quite as illegal on your part as on ours. Share merely sounds a little better but either obtains the same end. So, suit yourself. Call it what you will—but pay.”
“Pay—or what?”
“Pay—or lose everything!” was the answer. “If you are not familiar with the law covering 201 the subject under discussion, let me enlighten you.”
“Thunder! how you do roll it out!” laughed Croyden. “Get on! man, get on!”