"So," he continued, with a self-satisfied smile to Cressy, "far from being hard on you, Mr.McKinstry, we're rather inclined to put you on velvet.

We offer you a fair price for the only thing you can give us--actual possession; and we help you with your old grudge against the Harrisons.

We not only clear them out, but we pay YOU for even the part they held adversely to you." Mr.McKinstry passed his three whole fingers over his forehead and eyes as if troubled by a drowsy aching.

"Then you don't reckon to hev anythin' to say to them Harrisons ?" "We don't propose to recognize them in the matter at all," returned Stacey.
"Nor allow 'em anythin' ?" "Not a cent! So you see, Mr.McKinstry," he continued magnanimously, yet with a mischievous smile to Cressy, "there is nothing in this amicable discussion that requires to be settled outside." "Ain't there ?" said McKinstry, in a dull, deliberate voice, raising his eyes for the second time to Stacey.

They were bloodshot, with a heavy, hanging furtiveness, not unlike one of his own hunted steers.