"I'll head him off," stated Oldham grimly, "or put him where he belongs. I've saved a little persuasion until all the rest had failed."
"How?"
"That I'll tell you in time, but not now. But I don't mind telling you that I've no reason to love this Orde—or any other Orde—and I intend to get even with him on my own account. It's a personal and private matter, but I have a club that will keep him."
"Why the secrecy?"
"It's an affair of my own," insisted Oldham, "but I have it on him. If he attempts to testify as to the Basin lands, I'll have him in the penitentiary in ten days."
"And if he agrees?"
"Then," said Oldham quietly, "I'll have him in the pen a little later—after the Basin matter is settled once and for all."
Baker considered this a little.
"My judgment might be worth something as to handling this," he suggested.
"The matter is mine," said Oldham firmly, "and I must choose my own time and place."