ll that timber on the stump
just ten thousand dollars and you get from Radway saw logs to the value
of twenty," replied Thorpe sharply. "Besides you still own the million
and a half which, if you do not care to put them in yourself, you can
sell for something on the skids."

"Don't you know, young man, that white pine logs on skids will spoil
utterly in a summer? Worms get into em."

"I do," replied Thorpe, "unless you bark them; which process will
cost you about one dollar a thousand. You can find any amount of small
purchasers at reduced price. You can sell them easily at three dollars.
That nets you for your million and a half a little over four thousand
dollars more. Under the circumstances, I do not think that my request
for five thousand is at all exorbitant."

Daly laughed. "You are a shrewd figurer, and your remarks are
interesting," said he.

"Will you give five thousand dollars?" asked Thorpe.

"I will not," replied Daly, then with a sudden change of humor, "and now
I'll do a little talking. I've listened to you just as long as I'm going
to. I have Radway's contract in that safe and I live up to it. I'll
thank you to go plumb to hell!"

"That's your last word, is it?" asked Thorpe, rising.

"It is."

"Then," said he slowly and distinctly, "I'll tell you what I'll do.
I intend to collect in full the four dollars a thousand for the three
million and a half Mr. Radway has delivered to you. In return Mr. Radway
will purchase of you at the stumpage rates of two dollars a thousand the
million and a half he failed to put in. That makes a bill against you,
if my figuring is correct, of just eleven thousand dollars. You will pay
that bill, and I will tell you why: your contract will be classed in
any court as a gambling contract for lack of consideration. You have no
legal standing in the world. I call your bluff, Mr. Daly, and I'll fight
you from the drop of the hat through every court in Christendom."

"Fight ahead," advised Daly sweetly, who knew perfectly well that
Thorpe's law was faulty. As a matter of fact the young man could have
collected on other grounds, but neither was aware of that.

"Furthermore," pursued Thorpe in addition, "I'll repeat my offer before
witnesses; and if I win the first suit, I'll sue you for the money we
could have made by purchasing the extra million and a half before it had
a chance to spoil."

This statement had its effect, for it forced an immediate settlement
before th