“Much obliged, Mr. Vyce. You’ve shown me the men who are at your back.”
“Precious little good that will do you. You’ve got to sign that paper and swear to drop out of the market, or——” and Edgar Vyce made a significant movement with his arm.
“That’s your ultimatum, is it?”
“That’s what it is.”
“Very well; I’ll do neither.”
“Are you mad?” exclaimed Vyce, furiously, feeling that the object of his visit was a failure.
“Not at all,” replied the boy calmly, though every fibre of his body shook inwardly at the probable risk he was facing. “But do you fancy I would put myself into the power of any crank, not to say scoundrel like yourself, that chose to call and threaten me into doing something he wanted. Not on your life!”
“I don’t see how you can help yourself!” sneered Vyce, eyeing him savagely.
“Look behind you and you will see.”
Vance’s tone and manner threw the villain off his guard an instant.