CHAPTER VII.
TOM ISN'T AS EASY AS HE LOOKS "I don't believe I'll do that, sir," murmured Tom, putting down the pen.
"You don't, eh ?" "No, sir." "Oh, then you'd rather wait and be forced out ?" "How about the contract, sir, between your company and Reade & Hazelton?
Contracts can't be broken as lightly as your words imply." "I'll break that contract, if I set out to," declared Mr.Bascomb, purpling with half-suppressed rage.

"I've every ground for breaking the contract.
You're running things with a high hand here, and disorganizing all our efforts.

No contract will stand on presentation of any such evidence as that before a court." "I am quite willing to leave that to a court, if I have to," Reade rejoined.

His tones were decidedly cold.

"Mr.Bascomb, even if I were inclined to forfeit the contract I would have no legal right to do so without the approval of my partner, Hazelton." "Humph! He's dead," snorted the president.
"That yet remains to be proved, sir," Tom answered huskily, his voice breaking slightly at thought of Harry.
"How on earth do you think you could defend a contract against a wealthy company like ours?
Why, we could swamp you under our loose change alone.
How much money have you in the world?
Two or three thousand dollars, perhaps." "I've a little more than that," Tom Reade smiled.