'Came here to make a scene, did you? Well, I'll----'
'No, I didn't come here to make a scene. I came here to make you listen to reason and I'm going to do it.'
'Well, drop your voice a little, can't you! No sense in yelling our private affairs.'
'Sure I'll drop my voice. You're the one that started the yelling.'
'Well, I don't say you couldn't make it hard for any man in my position if you want to be nasty--fight that way.'
'But what I'd like to know is--what I'd like to know... Where you goin' to get the money to hire all those detectives?'
'Where'm I going to get the money to pay you if you win the suit?'
Though Charlie came back with, 'Oh, I'll win the suit all right, all right!' this was clearly a facer. He added, pondering, 'I guess Munson'll manage to attach anything you've got.' But he was at sea. 'Fine dirty idea o' yours, hounding a decent man, with detectives.' And finally, 'Well, what do you want?'
'Listen! S'pose you did win. You'd never get ten thousand.'
'No, you wouldn't. Why don't you act sensible and tell me what you'll take to stop it.'
'You tell me now or I'll bust this town open.'
'No good talking that way, Henry. Can you get any money?'
'Tell you for sure in twenty-four hours.'
'But it ain't the money. You've assailed my character. That's what you've done. Will you retract in print?'
'No, I won't. But if you'll come down to a decent price and promise to call off the boycott----'
'Advertising. You know. You do that, and I'll agree to leave you alone. Somebody else'll have to find you out, that's all. I've gotta help Hump Weaver pull the _Gleaner_ out. I guess that's my job now.'
He said this last sadly. He had read stories of wonderful young St Georges who slew a dozen political dragons at a time. Who never compromised or gave hostages to fortune. But there was only one chance for the paper and for old Hump. That chance was here and now.
He was sorry he couldn't see Charlie Waterhouse's face. 'What'll you give?' asked that worthy, after thoughtfully chewing, his cigar.
'Well--two thousand then. All right. I'll let you know by to-morrow night.'
'You understand, Henry, it ain't the money. It's for the good o' the town I'm doing it. To keep peace, y' understand. That's why I'm doing it. Y' understand that, Henry.' He actually reached over the fence and hung to the boy's arm.