"When did you first hear of his claim, father?"
"A short time since, during my recent visit to Cincinnati. I defied him then, and left the city without letting him know my address. But he is evidently shrewd and determined, and he has managed, in some way which I cannot fathom, to discover it. He has followed me up, and here he is."
"What do you mean to do?"
"I find force won't do. He is full of courage, pluck, and determination, and so is an enemy to be dreaded. I am going to try an opposite course."
"You are not going to give up?"
"No, certainly not. I am going to pretend friendship, and having put him off his guard, to get rid of his claim as well as I can. The property I will never surrender, as long as there is a possibility of retaining it," he concluded, firmly.
"I agree with you there, father. So you have invited him to stop here?"
"Yes, and the better to carry out my designs, I want you to act in a particularly friendly manner."
"I will if I can, but I know I shall hate him."
"If you dislike him, adopt the course most likely to injure him."