The Hidden Spring

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1916 edition. Excerpt: ...boss brought down Wheeler's logs with four less men than Wheeler had?" "The fool said so." ' "What would you have had him say?" For the first time Hembly showed some uneasiness. He opened his mouth to answer, then shut it again grimly. "Would you have had him testify to anything but the facts?" "No," Hembly said. "When you threatened Wheeler did you intend to carry out your threats?" The old man thrust a fat fist toward Keeth; it quivered with the tenseness of Hembly's grip. "Ask Owasco what follows Quartus Hembly's threats," he roared. "Threats are a part of your business machinery?" Hembly shut his mouth grimly. "Did you not order your river boss to seize Wheeler's logs, no matter what his lcrew was or his equipment?" Hembly kept his lips closed, but turned significantly to Justice Hugg, who obeyed the appeal. "That's enough of that there questionin'," said the justice. "Ask somethin' that has somethin' to do with this case or set down." Keeth looked at the justice with a humorous glint in his eye, a glint that made Hugg squirm in his seat. Even in presence of Hembly, with Hembly's backing, the justice was uneasy. Keeth's method was outside his experience, made him uncomfortable. "I am trying," said Keeth, "to show that this man," he pointed his finger in Hembly's face, "is simply following his usual business methods in this case. I am trying to prove in a court of law that this man trades on the fear of this community; that every deal he enters into has over it the shadow of such a threat as he admits making to Wheeler. I am...