"Yes. He took the check, struck a match and burned it up."
"The scoundrel."
"Worse than that, he wrapped up the cinders and told me to take them to you, and tell you that he had burnt the little finger of your god."
"Blasphemous wretch!"
"And I told him that he had not only insulted me, but had put an indignity upon you. I talked to him just as cool as a man could talk to anybody; we got along first rate until he burnt the check, and then, of course, it was all off. No it wasn't, not even then. As I stood in the door on my way out I offered him a thousand dollars. And he refused. And do you know why? I think he's got the notion that by sticking out he may win you and Eva over and get a partnership here."
McElwin jumped up and slapped his hand upon the table. "I would see him in——first." He turned about and began to walk slowly up and down the room.
"But he's going to leave this town," said Sawyer. "When I set my head on a thing I go at it with reason and work on that line until I find it hasn't any power, and then I use force. I am going to do it in this case."
"How?" McElwin asked.
"The boys have a way of getting at a thing that persuasion can't reach."
"Speak out," said McElwin. "Tell me what you are going to do."