"What is this I hear about the arrest of the man Frisco?" he asked. "Just this doctor," replied Kidd in his heavy voice but civilly enough "Don Manuel Santiago gave Belcher the tip how Frisco could be trapped, and as me and him wanted to earn the reward, we fixed the matter up." "Against my wish," retorted Dr. Jim, "did I not say, that you were not to meddle in the matter?" "And why shouldn't we get the reward if we could sir?" "I had my own reasons that Frisco should be left at large. You have spoilt a plan of mine, and likely as not have caught the wrong man." "As to that sir," said Kidd doggedly, "I don't know. But right or wrong we've caught the man and claim the reward." "It is offered by Mr. Stephen Marsh-Carr," said Herrick coolly, "and the matter is in my hands. It is just as likely as not that I may stop Mr. Marsh-Carr from paying you one penny. You had better have done my business properly Kidd." "We did do it properly," said Kidd in a surly tone. "I don't think so. It was my wish that the Mexican should be watched. You have let him leave the country." "I didn't," protested Kidd, who would have been insolent but that he was afraid of losing the reward, "that was Belcher's game." "Belcher's price for receiving instructions how to trap Frisco," scoffed Herrick. "Do you think I don't know that Santiago taught the cipher to your damned partner." "You might be civil Dr. Herrick." "I shall be what I please. You were engaged by me to do certain business, and you have done it badly. Had I wanted Frisco caught I should have told you. Now just you let me know, how it all came about." "What about the reward sir?" "I'll see to that. You fools--to go against me like this. I can do your business considerable damage by telling the way you have tricked me." "Oh, sir! you won't do that," growled Kidd now thoroughly frightened. "It all depends upon how you conduct yourself. The harm is done, but I must know how Santiago managed the business." "It was this way sir," replied the cowed Kidd. "Belcher watched the foreign cove sir, and kept out of sight. But the Don knew him from going to the gambling club." "Ah! that's another matter I can spoil for you Kidd. I know too much of your shady business for you to play the fool with me. Go on man." It took Kidd all he knew, to keep his temper under this speech. But he knew that Dr. Herrick would do what he had threatened if he was not implicitly obeyed. Had Jim been a smaller man, Kidd might have tried conclusion with his fists; but he knew Herrick too well, to attempt such folly. Once upon a time Kidd had seen the doctor thrash a larger and much heavier man. From that day, he resolved never to have a fight with a man so versed in the noble art as this high-tempered gentleman.