“You have the power to visit the depths of the sea. If Mona is sunk too deep our diving apparatus must fail. Since you will not trade or sell your boat, I must charter it for the purpose of bringing up the gold. I will pay you well for the service—yes, I will give you a fifth of the treasure. Come now, is not that fair?”
For a moment Frank Reade, Jr., was so overwhelmed with scorn that he could not speak. When he did recover his voice it was metallic and raspy.
“My friend,” he said, “you labor under a wrong impression. We are not fools; neither are we to be cajoled or bullied. If you had come to me in an honorable, open manner I would not have refused the favor, but as it stands, I would not grant it to you for any consideration. We are going back to our boat. Be so kind as to unbar that door.”
In spite of his pretended advantage the villain quailed before Frank’s eagle gaze and commanding manner.
He moved uneasily, then took up a whining tone:
“Now, come, my friend, don’t be unreasonable. I didn’t mean those threats. You shall not be sorry.”
Frank took a step forward. The fellow raised one of his pistols. Quick as lightning Frank grabbed his wrist and then with a downright blow of his other hand, dashed the other pistol from his grip. At the same moment he drew back and hurled the villain from the door. It was done in the twinkling of an eye.
Poole himself was astounded at the ease with which Frank accomplished this. His murderous spirit at once flamed up.
“Curse you!” he hissed. “I’ll have your life for that!”
He wrenched his hand free and raised the pistol left him. But like a flash Wade brought his fist down upon the villain’s hand and dashed the weapon to the floor.