"You can't bluff me, and you can't threaten me and get away with it!" Murk cried. "Softly--softly!" said the masked man. "I was merely showing you where you stand." "Well, don't start talkin' to me that way, if you want to do business with me. If I'm goin' to work for you, I've got to know what's what. Who's got it in for Mr. Prale, and why? That's what I want to know. And what is it you're tryin' to do to him? How can I help if I ain't wise?" "Some of the wealthiest and most influential men in the city are against Sidney Prale. They are determined to run him away from this, his old home town. They are going to strip him of his fortune if they can. They are going to grind him down until he is nothing better than a tramp." "Well, why are they goin' to do all this?" "It is not necessary for you to know at present. Perhaps you will learn that from Sidney Prale, if you keep your ears and eyes open. All we want you to do is to watch and listen and make frequent reports to us. You'll have to be loyal to us, of course. If you are not, we shall punish you." "But what did Mr. Prale ever do to get such a bunch down on him?" Murk demanded. "You'll find that out in time--maybe." "I guess I'd better know right now." "It is not necessary. Besides, we are not sure of you yet, please remember." "How could you ever be sure of me?" Murk cried. "If I threw down Mr. Prale, wouldn't I be liable to throw you down, if somebody happened along and raised the price? Why, you simp, I wouldn't turn against Mr. Prale for a million dollars! He's treated me decent, and he was the first man who ever did that! I was just stringin' you, you fool! Mr. Prale himself don't know why your gang is causin' him trouble, and I was tryin' to pump you and find out!" "So he has told you that he doesn't know why he has enemies?" "He has--and he told the truth. There's something phony about that murder case; somebody's tryin' to frame him. And when Jim Farland gets through, somebody is goin' to jail!" "So you will not work for us?" "You're right; I won't. Maybe I don't amount to much, but I'm mighty square compared to some people I know about." "And what do you suppose is going to become of you, if you refuse to do as I say?" "I guess I'll manage to struggle along," Murk said. "We'll see about that!" the masked man replied, getting up from the chair. "Perhaps a night spent in your present position, without food or water, will cause you to change your mind. If it does not, there are other methods that can be used." "Goin' to pull rough stuff, are you?" Murk sneered. "Go as far as you like! You can manhandle me, but you can't make me turn against Sidney Prale. That's a golden little thought for to-day, as the preacher says." CHAPTER XVIII A WOMAN'S WAY The masked man stepped forward, snarling behind his mask, his hands closing, and the two thugs stepped forward also, as if to use Murk roughly if the other gave the command.