"
Blount drew his chair nearer. "I have a hard thing to say to you
to-night, dad," he began, "and you mustn't make it harder by speaking of
your--of the things that get near to me. I am a man grown, and a Blount,
like yourself; I want you to give me back those papers which your
dynamiter or somebody else in your pay took from my office safe three
nights ago."
The senator's eyes lighted with the gentle smile, and the tips of the
great mustaches twitched slightly.
"So McVickar's been telling tales out of school, has he?" he inquired
half-jocularly.
"I have had no communication with Mr. McVickar. It wasn't necessary, nor
is it needful for us to go aside out of the straight road. I want those
papers. They are mine, and they were stolen."
The elder man smiled again. "What if I should say that I haven't got
'em, son--what then?" he asked mildly.
"I don't want you to say that. I want to believe that, however bitter
this fight may grow, we shall still speak the truth to each other."
There was silence for a little time, and then the father broke it to
say: "Reckon I could ask you what papers you mean, without roiling the
water any more than it's already been roiled, son?"
"You may ask and I'll answer, if you'll let me say that it is hardly
worth while for you to spar with me to gain time. I had certain
documents--letters--which would have enabled me to come through clean
with my own people--with the railroad management.
Pages:
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273