Gibbs was about to speak, but Mason was too serious to let himself be interrupted.
"I was thinking it all over to-night, and I decided--know what I decided?"
Gibbs shook his head.
"I decided," Mason went on, "to square it without waiting for the big touch." Gibbs was not impressed; the good thieves were always considering reformation. "I know I can't get anything to do--I'm too old, and besides--well, you know." Mason let the situation speak for itself. "I'm about all in, but I was thinking, Dan, this here place you've got in the country, can't you--" Mason hesitated a little--"can't you let me work around there? Just my board and a few clothes?" Mason leaned forward eagerly.
"You know, Joe," said Gibbs, seeing that Mason was serious, "that as long as I've got a place you can have a home with me. I'm going to take Kate out there and live. I've got the place almost paid for."
Mason leaned back, tried to speak, paused, swallowed, and moistened his lips.
"I worried about Slim to-night," he managed to say presently. It was hard for him to give utterance to thoughts that he considered sentimental. "My treating him so, you see--that I decided; I want to try it. That's why I wouldn't go with him; he didn't understand, but maybe I can explain. As I was thinking to-night, my head went off again--that stir simple, you know."
He raised his hand to his head and Gibbs was concerned.
"You'd better take a little drink, Joe," he said.
After Gibbs had brought the whisky, they sat there and discussed the future until the early summer dawn was red.