You're a good penman, Agnew, and I shall want a sample, after we've had a friendly chat." The cold sweat came out on Agnew's brow.
"I don't intend to beat about the bush at all.

It is not needed.

You know what I think of you, for I've given you abundant opportunity.

Twice within my knowledge you have tried to murder me--once when you slipped a ball cartridge into Badger's musket in 'A Mountain Vendetta,' hoping and believing that I would be killed, and again on the grounds of the gun club, when you slipped some prepared shells into my box, thinking I would get hold of one of them, and that I would be killed by the explosion of my gun!" Agnew's face grew as white as writing-paper.

He opened his lips to reply, but Frank went on: "Of course, you are ready to deny these things.