This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1899 Excerpt: ...methods are a little indirect? You say that the evidence is against James Garvin, and yet you give me to understand that it will be well if I can clear myself." "Exactly; a word of assurance is sometimes worth many deductions." "But if, for reasons of my own, I refuse to say the word?" The promoter's shrug was barely perceptible. "I don't see why you should refuse." Jeffard went silent at that, lying back with closed eyes and no more than a twitching of the lips to show that he was not asleep. After what seemed an interminable interval to the mine-owner, he said: --"I do refuse, for the present. A few days later, when I have done what I have to do, there will be time enough to discuss ways and means--and ethics, if you still feel inclined that way. May I trouble you to run that window-shade up?" He was sitting on the edge of the bed and groping beneath it for his shoes. The promoter admitted the light and ventured a question. "What are you going to do?" "Get on the ground with the least possible delay." The shoes were found, but when the wounded one bent to lace them the room spun around and he would have fallen if Denby had not caught him. "You 're not fit," said the master of men, not unsympathetically. "You could n't sit a horse if your life depended upon it." "I must; therefore I can and will," Jeffard asserted, with fine determination. "Be good enough to ask the bell-boy to come in and lace my shoes." The man with a mission to compel other men smiled. His fetish was indomitable resolution, for himself first, and afterward for those who deserved; and here was a man who, whatever his lacks and havings in the ethical field, was at least courageous. Havi...