The brickbats was on my own hook, but the pole and the soft soap was parts of the jobs me and Fred put up between us." "Why did you throw the brickbats on your own hook ?" asked Lawyer Ripley sharply.
"Why, you see, 'squire, 'twas just like this," returned Tip.
"After I'd done it, if I had hurt Prescott, then I was goin' to go to your son an' scare 'im good an' proper by threatenin' to blab that he had hired me to use them brickbats.

That'd been good fer all his spendin' money, wouldn't it ?" "Yes, and for all he could steal, too," replied Lawyer Ripley.
"I didn't know nothing about his stealin' money," retorted Tip, half virtuously.

"I jest thought he had too much pocket money fer his own good, an' so I'd help him spend some of it.

But, see here, lawyer, ye promised me that, if I did talk, nothin' I told yer should be used against myself." "I am prepared to keep that promise," replied Mr.Ripley coldly.
The sound of a slight stir came from the doorway between the outer and inner office.

There in the doorway, his face ghastly white, his whole body seeming devoid of strength, leaned Fred Ripley.
"I had almost forgotten that I asked you to come here," said Mr.
Ripley, as he looked up.