WEALTH WITHOUT WINGS. 205

 

“T cannot do it,’’ was the unequivocal reply.
‘¢' You have, by your miserable vindictiveness, ruined
Jasper, after having subsisted on him for years—
a base return for all you owe him—and, in doing so,
half destroyed me. You have killed the goose that
laid the golden egg, and there is no one but yourself
to thank for this folly.”’

‘You must help me, Mr. Grind,” said Martin,
his brows knitting, and the muscles of his lips grow-
‘ing rigid. ‘ Youhad a hand in that business as well
as Jasper ; you took a big slice, if he did keep the
major part of the loaf; and so I have a right to ask
some slight return for important service rendered.”

‘‘What! This to me!” exclaimed Grind, roused
to instant excitement.

‘‘This to you,”’ was the cool, deliberate answer.

‘You have mistaken your man,” returned the
lawyer, now beginning to comprehend Martin more
thoroughly. ‘I understand my whole relation to
this affair too well to be moved by any attempt at
extortion which you can make. But I can tell you
a little secret, which it may be interesting for you
to know.” |

‘What is it?” growled the man.

‘Why, that I hold the power to give you a term
in the State’s prison, whenever I may happen to feel
inclined that way.”

“Indeed !”” Martin spoke with a cold, defiant
sneer.

“T am uttering no vague threat. From the be-
ginning, I have kept this trap over you, ready to
spring, if need be, at a moment’s warning.”

‘‘] suppose you thought me a poor fool, did you

18