He meant to probe Peggy's case thoroughly, and knew that it would be no easy matter to get at the truth while she had Red Mick alongside to prompt her.

He had not dealt with the mountain folk for nothing, and handled his clients in a way that would astonish a more conservative practitioner.
"Mick," he said, "You go over to Isaacstein's store and wait till I send for you." "I want Mick to be wid me," began Peggy.
Blake blazed up.

He knew that he must keep his ascendancy over these wild people by force of determination.
"You heard what I said," he thundered, turning fiercely on Peggy.

"You want this and you want that! It's not what you want, it's what I want! You do what you're told.

If you don't--I won't help you.