"And Welton gave it to him?" cried Amy.
"It wasn't a case of buy a privilege," explained Bob, "but of life itself. We were operating on borrowed money, and just beginning our first year's operations. The season is short in these mountains, as you know, and we were under heavy obligations to fulfil a contract for sawed lumber. A delay of even a week meant absolute ruin to a large enterprise. Mr. Welton held off to the edge of danger, I remember, exhausting every means possible here and at Washington to rush through the necessary permission."
"Why didn't he tell the truth—expose Plant? Surely no department would endorse that," put in Amy, a trifle subdued in manner.
"That takes time," Bob pointed out. "There was no time."
"So Welton came through," said Thorne drily. "What has that got to do with it?"
"Baker paid the money for him," said Bob.
"Well, they're both in the same boat," remarked Thorne tranquilly. "I don't see that that gives him any hold on Welton."
"He threatens to turn state's evidence in the matter, and seems confident of immunity on that account."
"He can't mean it!" cried Amy.
"Sheer bluff," said Thorne.