Bob saddled up at once. He found the lumberman, not in the
comfortable sitting room at his private sleeping camp, but watching the
lamp alone in the office. As Bob entered, his former associate turned a
troubled face toward the young man.
"Bob," said he at once, "they've got the old man cinched, unless you'll
help out."
"How's that?"
"You remember when we first came in here how Plant closed the road and
the flume right-of-way on us because we didn't have the permit?"
"Of course."
"Now, Bob, you remember how we was up against it, don't you? If we
hadn't gone through that year we'd have busted the business absolutely.
It was just a case of hold-up and we had to pay it. You remember?"
"Yes."
"Well!" burst out Welton, bringing his fist down, "now this hound,
Baker, sends up his slick lawyer to tell me that was bribery, and that
he can have me up on a criminal charge!"
"He's bluffing," said Bob quietly. "I remember all about that case. If
I'd known as much then of inside workings as I do now, I'd have taken a
hand. But Baker himself ran the whole show. If he brings that matter
into court, he'll be subject to the same charge; for, if you remember,
he paid the money.
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