ur
sleeve till we had our cut on the landings. If you had worked such a
trick on my grandfather he wouldn't be sitting on this chair, as I'm
doing. He'd be kicking you around this tavern. I'll save my strength for
the Flagg drive."

"I've got some frankness of my own, Latisan. I'm at a point where my
future with the Comas is in the balance, and I'm going to fight for that
future. I'm not asking you to lie down. But you have it in your
power--the circumstances being as they are--to swing the Flagg interests
in with ours to mutual advantage. Why isn't that better than a fight?"

"It would be better!"

Craig brightened.

But Latisan added: "For your interests! You're afraid of a fight--at
Skulltree!"

"Yes, I am," blurted Craig, trying candor. "Let's arrange a hitch-up!"

"Now the trouble with that plan is this," returned Latisan, quietly,
slowly. "It can't be done, not with a man like you've shown yourself to
be. Hold in your temper, Mr. Craig! You're coming round now to ask
square men to deal with you. You can't appeal on the ground of
friendship--you haven't tried to make any friends up here. You have
played too many tricks. We're all doubtful in regard to your good faith,
no matter what the proposition may be. We can't deal with you. It's all
your own doing. You are paying the penalty."

"Much obliged for the sermon!"

"I could say a lot more, but it wouldn't amount to anything in your
case."

"Then it has settled into a personal fight between you and me, has it?"

"Bluntly speaking, yes!"

"You have accused me of playing tricks!" Craig's rage burst bounds. "You
young hick, you have never seen real tricks yet! You don't think I'm
coming after you with fists or a cant dog, do you?"

"I wish you were younger and would try it!"

"I'm from the city. In the city we use our brains. Latisan, I have tried
to show you in the past that the Comas means business. If you'll go back
to the Toban, where you belong, I'll do something for you on that
Walpole matter, now that I've taught you a lesson."

"The Latisans are not out after charity, Mr. Craig."

"You're out after punishment--a damnation good smashing, personally, and
you're going to get it!"

Latisan leaped from his chair and slammed the door suddenly and
violently; expecting an attack. Craig leaped back and saved his fingers
from a jamming.

From behind his curtain in the morning he saw Latisan drive the Flagg
team into the tavern yard.

"I'll be com