human
Brouillard, he grated huskily,
gpt
It means more than that; it means that I have reached a point at which I am ashamed to admit that there was ever anything to break.
human
Then listen: you've helped this thing along as much as, or more than, anybody else in this town; and there are men right here in Mirapolis--plenty of 'em--who will kill you like a rat in a hole if you go back on them as you are threatening to. Don't you know that?
gpt
That is the least of my worries, he answered, speaking slowly.
human
I am all sorts of a moral coward, I suppose; I've proved that often enough in the past few months, God knows. But I'm not the other kind, Mr. Cortwright.
gpt
Then I'll take a hand! snarled the tyrant at bay.
human
I'll spend a million dollars, if I have to, blacklisting you from one end of this country to the other! I'll fix it so you'll never build anything bigger than a hog-pen again as long as you live! I'll publish your record wherever there is a newspaper to print it! He pounded on the desk with his fist--
gpt
I'll do it--money can do it! More than that, you'll never get a smell of that Chigringo mine--you nor Dave Massingale!
human
That is your challenge, is it? he said curtly.
gpt
So be it. Start your machinery. You will doubtless get me, not because you have money, but because for a time I was weak enough and wicked enough to climb down and stand on your level. But if you don't hurry, Mr. Cortwright, I'll get you first. Are you going? One thing more--and it's a kindness; get your son out of town before this Massingale matter comes up for adjustment. It will be safer.
human
Is that all you have to say?
gpt
Pretty nearly all, except to tell you that your time is growing short, and you and those who are in with you had better begin to set your houses in order. If you'll come over here at eight o'clock to-morrow night prepared to do the square thing by David Massingale, I'll withhold the publication of that letter which will stamp you and your associates as criminals before the law; but that is the only concession I shall make.
human
You've got to make at least one more! stormed the outgoing magnate.
gpt
You don't have to set any dates or anything of that kind for your damned drowning act!
human
In justice to a good many people who are measurably innocent, I shall have to do that very thing, returned the engineer firmly.
gpt
The notice will appear in to-morrow's _Spot-Light_.