I am too close to you for a gun-play.
Good! Now about that one word from you.

You won't speak it, for that would force me to utter nasty truths about you, and you would suffer more than I, this being your home town where you are respected.

And the truth is nasty, isn't it ?" Colonel Nelson had grown very white during this long speech.

He rose to his feet and laid one shaking hand upon his desk as if to steady himself; his tongue was thick in his mouth as he said, hoarsely: "I'd like to think you are crazy, but--you're not." "Almost a compliment, coming from you!" "You think you can beat me--Want to make it a money fight, do you?
Well, I'll give you a bellyful.

Every dollar I've got will go to smash you--smash you!" "Splendid!" Gray was on his feet now and he was smiling icily.