"Set down, Mark, an' let's be reasonable. If so be thar's dissatisfaction I reckon we kin fix matters. Right now I've got a bigger project in mind than _thet_--an' I needs yore aid. This here Jerry Henderson stands mightily in my light an' I aims ter be rid of him. He hain't got no money invested hyar. He kin go without no loss ner trouble. He don't even hev ter put out ther fire an' call ther dawg. He sets by Lone Stacy's fire an' he hain't got no dawg." "If you mean a watch-dog he doesn't need one--so long as the Stacys choose to protect him." Towers slowly nodded. "Thet's right, but with Lone Stacy and Bear Cat moved away fer a leetle spell, hit would be as easy as old shoes." "And how do you aim to move them?" "Thet's whar you comes in, Mark. Lone's runnin' a blockade still over on Little Slippery." The revenuer leaned forward with as unreceptive a stare as though his companion had graciously proffered him the gift of a hornet's nest. "Hold on," he bluntly protested, "I have no evidence of that--and what's more, I don't want any." "Air you like ther balance of 'em hyarabouts?" came Kinnard's satiric inquiry. "Air ye skeered ter tackle Bear Cat Stacy?" Mark Tapper replied with entire sincerity. "Yes, I'm afraid to tackle him--and I'm brave enough to admit it. Once in a century a man like that is born and he's born to be a master. I warn you betimes, Kinnard, _leave him alone_! Play with a keg of blasting powder and a lighted match if you like. Tickle a kicking mule if you've a mind to, but _leave Bear Cat alone_!" The minion of the federal law rose from his chair and spoke excitedly. "And if you're hell-bent on starting an avalanche, do it for yourself--don't try to make me pull it down on my own head, because I won't do it." Kinnard Towers leaned back in the judge's swivel chair and laughed uproariously. "Mark, right sensibly at times, ye shows signs of human discernment. I hain't seekin' no open rupture with this young tiger cat my own self. I aims ter show in this matter only es his friend. _You_ hain't overly popular with them Stacys nohow an' I've got hit all _dee_vised, ter plumb convince 'em thet ye're only actin' in ther lawful discharge of yore duty." "That will be very nice--if you succeed," commented the proposed catspaw dryly. "I aims ter succeed," came the prompt assurance. "I aims ter demonstrate thet thar war so much talkin' goin' round thet ye war plumb obleeged ter act an' thet thar hain't no profit in resistin'. I'll tell 'em hit's a weak case atter all. They won't harm ye. Ye hain't a-goin' ter arrest ther boy nohow--jest ther old man." "And leave Bear Cat foot-loose to avenge his daddy! No thank you. Not for me." Again Towers smiled. "Now don't be short-sighted, Mark. Bear Cat won't be hyar neither." "Why won't he be here? Because you'll tell him to go?"