“Not exactly, but I may be able to set you right in some ways that you may not have thought of.”
“Wal, Mr. Nicholas, come down to the house. I’ve got nothin’ to hold back, and ef you’re interested, you can hear the whole story.”
Low talked as they walked along through the woods.
His voice continued to be harsh, as he told of the trick that had been played upon him, but Nick saw that Claymore had kept well within the law.
“It wasn’t fair,” thought the detective, “but it was what would be called a business deal, and Low was beaten. No wonder he feels sore, but he can’t do anything about it.”
Of course, Low mentioned the Rev. Elijah Judson in the course of his story.
His voice was more angry at this point.
“I can’t understand an out-an’-out villain,” said he, “but it seems a durned sight worse when a preacher takes to swindling, now don’t it, Mr. Nicholas?”
“I should say so,” replied Nick, “if I was sure that the preacher had known that the scheme was unfair.”
“Know! How could he help it? Ain’t he president of the company?”