"All right then," Gregory answered in the same manner. "So do I. You've got a real job ahead of you. Minutes are going to count in the next few days. The next batch of my service men are due to-morrow."
McCoy jumped up. "That means a day's work for me," he exclaimed, and hurried out.
Gregory glanced at his watch. The next thing to be done was to see Dickie Lang. The matter of securing fish was of cardinal importance. The girl would be at the dock about this time. It would afford him a good chance to make his proposal while she was getting the fish ready for shipment.
Some time after Gregory had left the cannery, Barnes reported he was out of carborundum and McCoy set out at once for Legonia.
"They'd be all day sending it up," he said. "I've got to go down anyway and check over some stuff for us at the freight-house so it might as well be now."
On nearing the Lang dock he heard Dickie's voice issuing from a pile of fish-boxes at the shore end.
McCoy checked his steps involuntarily at the girl's words, and without meaning to—listened.
"So you want to pay me a flat rate for my boats and hire me to train your men with my fishermen?"
"Yes. With a share in the profits."
It was Gregory's voice. McCoy noted the quiet tone used by the girl. He felt ashamed to eavesdrop. But he was torn with curiosity to hear Dick's answer.