human
That's what you said before, retorted Collaton, his eyebrows and lashes even more invisible in this illumination than in broad day-light.
gpt
It's time, though, for a showdown. You drag me into dark corners and talk over schemes to throw the hooks into Johnny Gamble--and I tell you I'm afraid of him!
human
You're mistaken, asserted Gresham dryly.
gpt
It was I who told you that you were afraid of him.
human
I admitted it all right, sulkily answered Collaton.
gpt
He's awake now, I tell you; and he's not a safe man to fool with. He turned our last trick against us, and that's enough hint for me.
human
Your trick, you mean,
gpt
Our trick, I said! insisted Collaton, suddenly angry.
human
Look here, Gresham, I won't stand any monkey business from you! If there's ever any trouble comes out of this you'll get your share of it, and don't you forget it! You've had me lay attachments against the Gamble-Collaton Irrigation Company on forged notes. Since I had nothing, Johnny paid them, because he was square. The last attachment, though--for fifty thousand--he held off until I got that Slosher Apartment scheme in my own name, and turned it against me; and you had to pay it, because you had stood good for me.
gpt
What difference does that make to you? demanded Gresham.
human
It was my own money and I got it back.
gpt
It makes just this much difference, explained Collaton:
human
Gamble and Loring are busy tracing all these transactions; and when they find out anything it will be fastened on me, for you never figure in the deals. You even try to avoid acknowledging to me that you have anything to do with them.
gpt
You get all the money,
human
That's why I know you're framing it up to let me wear the iron bracelets if anything comes off. Now you play square with me or I'll hand you a jolt that you won't forget! There's a girl responsible for your crazy desire to put my old partner on the toboggan--and that was the girl. You see I happen to know all about it.