If you'd known
you'd really hurt the poor old man, you'd have stopped to see him. I
understand that. But--"
"Look here!" interrupted Dunn, sharply, "did Caroline send you to me?"
"Caroline? No, no! She don't know 'twas your automobile at all. I never
said a word to her, 'tain't likely. But afore she spent any of her
money, I thought you'd ought to know, because I was sure you wouldn't
let her. That's the way I'd feel, and I felt 'twas no more'n honest to
give you the chance. I come on my own hook; she didn't know anything
about it."
Malcolm drummed on the desk with nervous fingers. The flush remained on
his face, his cigarette had gone out, and he threw the stump savagely
into the wastepaper basket. Captain Elisha remained silent. At length
the young man spoke.
"Well," he growled, pettishly, "how much will it take to square things
with the gang? How much damages do they want?"
"Damages? Oh, there won't be any claim for damages, I guess. That is, no
lawsuit, or anything of that kind. The Moriartys don't know you did it,
and there's no reason why they should. I thought maybe I'd see to 'em
and do whatever was necessary; then you could settle with me, and the
whole business would be just between us two. Outside the doctor's bills
and food and nursin' and such, all the extry will be just the old man's
wages for the time he's away from the factory.
Pages:
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171