When he reached the architect's office he announced himself by demanding in a loud voice, which was unusual for him, "You young upstart, what do you mean by making that absurd complaint against me?" "Have a chair, Mr. Stover." Stover stared at him. "Have a chair, I say," Harold indicated one with a gesture. Stover sat down. The sangfroid of this young fellow discomfited him. "I want to know what you mean?" Stover asked when he had recovered himself. "Mean about what?" Harold asked coolly. "By those ridiculous charges you made against me." "Have you read the complaint?" "Yes, I have." "Then you know all about it. I don't need to tell you anything." "It's preposterous. Young man, you're making a fool of yourself. You can't prove anything, and in the end you will be laughed at." "Stover, I can prove all I have charged. At any rate the jury will decide." "What proof have you?" "It will be time enough to present the proof when you come to trial." "King, what do you and your friends want?" "What do you mean?" "This is simply a case of blackmail. How much do you and your friends want?" Harold sprang from his chair and stood in front of Stover, a fire of anger flamed from his eyes, and he opened and shut his hands forcibly. Harold King, the Klansman, fought hard with himself. He could scarce restrain his hands from clutching Stover's skinny throat. When he had mastered himself he walked back to his chair and sat down. "Stover," he said, "don't repeat that unless you want them to try me for homicide in the district court, and unless you want an immediate trial by the Supreme Judge of the Universe." Stover, now trembling and white, changed his attitude. "Mr. King," he said, rubbing his hands and swallowing hard, "it may be that the girl does not understand the deal I had with her father. Babcock owed me twenty thousand dollars and I bought his interest in the Zala bank for that amount. I explained this to Ruth, but it is quite likely that someone has been misrepresenting the transaction to her. The girl has had a hard time. I feel sorry for her, and while I do not owe her a cent I will make her a present of five thousand dollars to help her out if you will have this case dismissed." "Nothing doing. Stover, you are an unmitigated liar and crook. You robbed Babcock and Watson; you tried to bribe me to betray the Klan. Like the cowardly cur that you are you tried to fight me through your dirty attack on a young woman. You talk of being sorry. You haven't the capacity within your craven soul to be sorry for anybody but yourself. You see that door. Get out of it at once or I may not be able to keep my hands off you." Harold stood with his finger pointing to the door while Stover left without looking back. Chapter XXVIII