“Lots to us, and it may mean a great deal to you, also!” snapped out Kelly. “You may have some papers, too.”
“I may,” returned Denny, “but you’ll not get ’em.”
Cora and the others, listening, knew that Denny would only be too glad if he did have the documents in question. But the girls had heard him lamenting that he did not know where they were.
Why did he now let the men think he did know? It was a puzzle to the girls.
“Not get them, eh?” cried Bruce. “That’s to be seen. Now look here, Shane. We came here to do business, and we’re going to do it. By fair means if we can, if not——”
He paused suggestively.
“Ah! I know you and your breed!” cried the old fisherman. “By fair means or foul! But try it on! I’m not afraid of you.”
He stepped back a pace, the better to defend himself in case he had to. The red oar was still in his firm hands.
“Now wait a minute,” put in Moran. “We’ll try the fair means first. What do you say to that? Show him the bills.”
With a quick gesture Bruce drew out a roll of greenbacks.