“A chance to compromise.[Pg 38]”
“Not on your life!” cried Goulard hotly. “I’ll not stand for——”
“You close your trap till I’m through,” snapped Badger fiercely. “You then can have your say, but not till then! I run this gang, Mr. Goulard, and what I say goes. Now, Carter, what do you say?”
“To what?”
“To a compromise.”
“What sort of a compromise?”
“That’s easily stated,” said Badger. “You agree to step out of this case with your assistants, keep your hands off of us and your mouth closed, and do nothing to expose us. In return, you get your liberty and——”
“Stop a moment,” Nick interrupted.
“Well?”
“Suppose I consent to such a compromise, will you accept it?”