And the third is what I said in the beginning: I'm not going to
be a crook."
Barlow's squat, powerful figure arose menacingly. Casey also stood up.
"I tell you you ARE going to be a crook!" Barlow's big fist crashed
down on his desk in a tremendous exclamation point. "And you're going
to work for me exactly as I tell you!"
"I have already given you my final word," said Larry.
"You--you--" Barlow almost choked at this quiet defiance. His face
turned red, his breath came in a fluttering snarl, his powerful
shoulders hunched up as if he were about to strike. But he held back
his physical blows.
"That's your ultimatum?"
"If you care to call it so--yes."
"Then here's mine! I told you I was holding back my high cards. Either
you do as I say, and work with Gavegan and Casey, or you'll not be
able to hold a job in New York! My men will see to that. And here's
another high card. You do as I've said, or I'll hang some charge on
you, one that'll stick, and back up the river you'll go for another
stretch! There's an ultimatum for you to think about!"
It certainly was. Larry gazed into the harsh, glaring face, set in
fierce determination. He knew that Barlow, as part of his policy,
loved to break down the spirit of criminals; and he knew that nothing
so roused Barlow as opposition from a man he considered in his power.
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