Sargent flushed a bit, and then he grew angry.
"That's an insult, Mr. Merriwell!" he almost hissed. "I do not like it."
"It was not intended as an insult, Sargent; but you know you promised to stick by the company and take a share of the profits, in case business should become so poor that I could not pay salaries in full."
"Well, I have received nothing during the past two weeks--absolutely nothing. That's not a share."
"Then I think that frees me from my agreement."
"I can't see it in that light. Wait a moment! You know very well that I can't pay you all that is due you, the same as the others know I can't pay them. They are not raising any kick, for they all know everyone will be used fair----"
Again the rebellious actor snapped his fingers.
"Oh, I don't know!" he said, in a manner that was positively insolent. "I am not so sure that everyone will be used square."
Frank looked at him straight and hard for a few seconds, and then slowly asked:
"Do you mean to infer, Sargent, that I will deal crookedly with those who give me their loyal support?"
"No! You are mistaken, sir. In business I have no favorites."
"Well, I know you have paid her money within a week."
"I have not paid her any money, Sargent."
"But Cates saw you give it to her in Hartland."
"She needed a little money to buy medicine."
"Exactly. She understood very well that it was not paid as a portion of her salary."
"What a bluff!" he cried. "That wouldn't go with anybody! Managers do not loan money to actors when salaries are due."
"There was nothing due under the agreement, as you know."
"Oh, you'll twist it to suit yourself. But I've made up my mind, and you pay to-night, or I quit in advance of the show."
"Besides," pursued Merriwell, calmly, "you know as well as I that Cassie was threatened with a serious illness, and it would have broken us up had she been taken ill. All that averted the catastrophe was the prompt manner in which she obtained medicine to help her. That kept the show from going to pieces."
"That's nothing to me. She's had money, and I want mine."
"Don't be unreasonable, man! We have a fair house here, and ought to make something clear. After the show I'll pay you something, so that you----"
"You'll pay me before the curtain goes up, or I'll not step on the stage to-night! That is business! I know all about promises to pay after the show. I've been fooled before with that kind of a bluff. It won't go."