"
"That ar the law?" repeated McKinstry meditatively.
"Yes," said Stacey. "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.
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