"My accounts with her estate are closed," he said, harshly."If she wants anything, let her come here."Joe shook his head."No.You must be there at eight o'clock "The Judge's choler got the better of his uneasiness.
"You're a pretty one to come ordering me around!" he broke out."You slanderer, do you suppose I haven't heard how you're going about traducing me, undermining my character in this community, spreading scandals that I am the real owner of Beaver Beach--""It can easily be proved, Judge," Joe interrupted, quietly, "though you're wrong: I haven't been telling people.I haven't needed to--even if I'd wished.Once a thing like that gets out you can't stop it--ever! That isn't all: to my knowledge you own other property worse than the Beach;I know that you own half of the worst dens in the town: profitable investments, too.You bought them very gradually and craftily, only showing the deeds to those in charge--as you did to Mike Sheehan, and not recording them.Sheehan's betrayal of you gave me the key; I know most of the poor creatures who are your tenants, too, you see, and that gave me an advantage because they have some confidence in me.My investigations have been almost as quiet and careful as your purchases.""You damned blackmailer!" The Judge bent upon him a fierce, inquiring scrutiny in which, oddly enough, there was a kind of haggard hopefulness.
"And out of such stories," he sneered, "you are going to try to make political capital against the Tocsin, are you?""No," said Joe."It was necessary in the interests of my client for me to know pretty thoroughly just what property you own, and I think I do.
These pieces I've mentioned are about all you have not mortgaged.You couldn't do that without exposure, and you've kept a controlling interest in the Tocsin clear, too--for the sake of its influence, I suppose.Now, do you want to hear any more, or will you agree to meet me at Miss Tabor's this evening?"Whatever the look of hopefulness had signified, it fled from Pike's face during this speech, but he asked with some show of contempt, "Do you think it likely?""Very well," said Joe, "if you want me to speak here." And he came a little closer to him.