You cannot hope to make a profitable deal out of that. Dear me!
It seems only a few minutes ago that I heard your interesting friend,
Mr. Skinner, shake with laughter at the mention of such a thing as
a secret society."
"Skinner is a blasted fool," Horser exclaimed fiercely. "Listen
here, Mr. Sabin. You can read that report if you must, but, as
I'm a living man you'll not stir from New York if you do. I'll
make your life a hell for you. Don't you understand that no one
but a born fool would dare to quarrel with me in this city? I
hold the prison keys, the police are mine. I shall make my own
charge, whatever I choose, and they shall prove it for me."
Mr. Sabin shook his head.
"This sounds very shocking," he remarked. "I had no idea that the
largest city of the most enlightened country in the world was in
such a sorry plight."
"Oh, curse your sarcasm," Mr. Horser said. "I'm talking facts, and
you've got to know them. Will you give up that report? You can
find out all there is in it for yourself. But I'm going to give it
you straight. If I don't have that report back unread, you'll never
leave New York."
Mr. Sabin was genuinely amused.
"My good fellow," he said, "you have made yourself a notorious
person in this country by dint of incessant bullying and bribing
and corruption of every sort.
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