r the top of the
newspaper, was inhospitable when the Comas man stopped and leaned
against the door jamb.

"Latisan, I'm presuming on that frankness of yours; you have bragged
about it in the past."

"That was before my experience with you in the Walpole matter, sir. But
go ahead! What do you want?"

"You're over here in the Noda region, according to your threat. You may
be willing to inform me as to your status in the Flagg proposition, now
the old man is on his back."

"Mr. Flagg has put me in full charge of his drive."

"Has he delegated to you any authority to compromise?"

"No, sir!"

"There ought to be an opportunity to compromise, now that he's down and
out."

"I just left Mr. Flagg sitting in his chair, and he says he intends to
keep sitting there. Therefore, he isn't down."

"Is his mind clear for business?"

"I should say so--yes!"

Craig tipped his hat and scratched the side of his head. "Then I'm
afraid there isn't much use in my going to him to talk compromise," he
confessed.

"That's your affair, Mr. Craig."

"And your affair--where he's concerned----"

"Is to bring down his drive."

"He has threatened a big fight at Skulltree. You heard him."

"Yes."

"And if he gives his orders to blow hell out of the bottom of the river,
I suppose you'll obey, eh?"

"He has ordered me to bring his logs into the hold-boom here at Adonia.
I have promised to do so. I see no need of going into details of how I'm
to do it." Latisan raised the shield of his newspaper in front of his
face.

But Craig persisted. He had promised the Noda to his superiors; he had
not been sure how he could maneuver to deliver, but his past success had
impelled him to go on with his cocksure pledges of performance; he was
spurred by a hint of a raise in salary, a gift of Comas common stock; he
had depended on the situation at Skulltree as his principal weapon, if
bravado backed the special legislative act. But that act had been
juggled, just as Echford Flagg had asserted. The thing was ticklish, and
Craig knew it. Anger and apprehensiveness were working twin leverage on
the Comas executive.

"Latisan, by coming over here into the Noda and grabbing in where you
have no timber interests of your own, you have shown your animus. You
have made it a personal matter between you and me."

"There's a lot of truth in what you say," admitted Ward, lowering his
shield. "Let's exchange accusations! You held that Walpole heir up yo