ing me?"

"No; we met by accident after I had come to New York almost on purpose to
see you."

"She is an impudent young woman."

"She told me that you had her land papers, just as you now have mine."

"It's a falsehood!"

"If both of us go to court with our story, we may prove that it is not a
falsehood."

"Ha! are you going to combine to ruin my reputation?" cried the real
estate dealer, growing pale.

"We are going to try to obtain our rights."

"You'll gain nothing. I'll--I'll have you locked up on a charge of
black-mail!" Alexander Slocum began to pace his office nervously. "See
here, Upton how much do you want to go off and leave me alone?" he
questioned, suddenly.

"I want what is due my father."

"You'll not get it!" he whispered, hoarsely, throwing his mask aside. "Do
you think I have plotted and worked all these years for nothing? Not much!
All that property is mine, do you hear? Nobody else shall ever own a foot
of it. Now, I'll tell you what I am willing to do. I'll give you a hundred
dollars in cash and we'll call it square. Mind you, I don't admit your
claim. I only want to avoid trouble."

Jerry looked at the man and drew a long breath. He could see through
Slocum's words as clearly as he could see through the window. His father's
claim was worth a fortune!

"Come, what do you say?" demanded Slocum as Jerry did not answer him.

"I say this, Mr. Slocum," rejoined our hero. "I won't accept your
proposition, and before I am done with you I'll have our rights and you'll
be in state's prison."

With a snarl very much like that made by a fretful tiger, the man leaped
toward the boy as if to grab him by the throat.

"You fool! I'll make you come to terms!"

His hand touched Jerry's collar, but the young oarsman evaded him and
placed the flat-top desk between them. When the man ran around the desk,
Jerry picked up a heavy brass-bound ruler.

"Stop, or I'll crack you with this!" cried our hero, and, seeing the
weapon, Slocum halted.

"Don't be a fool, boy!"

"I don't intend to be."

"You can do nothing against me."

"That remains to be seen."

"Who will take your word against mine? Nobody. You are a mere country lad,
while I am a well-known New York citizen."

"Mr. Ardell was also well known in his day."

Again Alexander Slocum's face grew pale.

"Nellie Ardell has no doubt urged you to attack me," he growled. "I must
see her. Why didn't she come with you?"

"She is busy."

"I