“What?” Mr. Bike asked, rather uneasily.
“You know what! Disabuse your mind of any idea that I don’t know some chapters in your life, that, if made public, will end your devilish career.” Richard hinted darkly, the suspicions which had come to him before that day sweeping over him with full force.
Tolman Bike was thinking intently. Richard saw that his last bluff had gone home and he determined to follow it up with more of the same kind.
“Be as unconcerned as you please, Mr. Bike. To-morrow, when your marriage is postponed, and you are called on to answer to the serious charge I shall bring against you, you will be sorry that you didn’t take the easier course, and give me the information I asked for.” Dick said this as if his patience had run out.
“I have no information to give,” Mr. Bike said, in a tone which showed he was beginning to weaken.
“Say, it’s wasting time to pretend to me. Either you will, or you will not, do as I have asked you. If you don’t, the consequences be on your own head.”
“And would you—do you mean—” hesitated Tolman Bike, losing confidence at sight of Dick’s undiminished determination.
“Yes, sir; I mean every word of it.” Dick had risen and he looked very angry and capable of doing all the bad things he threatened. “I have given you a chance, and you refuse to accept, so—” and he shrugged his shoulders as if his responsibility ended there.
“And if you get the information, what use will you make of it?” asked Bike, as if longing for some hope to be held out to him.
“You know what I want. It is not to bring any credit to myself, but to relieve the suspense of a heart-broken sister.”