“Yes, calm yourself, my covey,” cabby repeated with a chuckle.

Rich bit the ends of his mustache and glared. He was making a desperate effort to keep calm. A silence followed.

Cabby kept his eyes on Rich.

When he saw that Simeon was not going to speak he said:

“Let us get down to business, Rich. There is no use of trying to bluff me. I’m too old a bird to stand any kind of a jolly.

“I can read your character, and you ought to be able to read mine.

“If I should go to the police with the information which I possess, you know they would come down on you heavily.”

“Wait one moment.”

“Let me finish.

“I have no desire to injure you if you treat me halfway decently.