“No one but myself and Kitty.”
“And would she be likely to talk of it?” continued Stacy.
“Of course not. Why should she? Whom could she talk to?” Yet he stopped suddenly, and then with his characteristic reaction added, with a laugh, “Why no, certainly not.”
“Of course, everybody knew that you had bought the shares at Sacramento?”
“Yes. Why, you know I told you the Van Loo clerks came to me and wanted to take it off my hands.”
“Yes, I remember; the Van Loo clerks; they knew it, of course,” said Stacy with a grim smile. “Well, boys,” he said, with sudden alacrity, “I'm going to turn in, for by sun-up to-morrow I must be on my way to catch the first train at the Divide for 'Frisco. We'll hunt this thing down together, for I reckon we're all concerned in it,” he added, looking at the others, “and once more we're partners as in the old times. Let us even say that I've given Barker's signal or password,” he added, with a laugh, “and we'll stick together. Barker boy,” he went on, grasping his younger partner's hand, “your instinct has saved us this time; d——d if I don't sometimes think it better than any other man's sabe; only,” he dropped his voice slightly, “I wish you had it in other things than FINANCE. Phil, I've a word to say to you alone before I go. I may want you to follow me.”
“But what can I do?” said Barker eagerly. “You're not going to leave me out.”
“You've done quite enough for us, old man,” said Stacy, laying his hand on Barker's shoulder. “And it may be for US to do something for YOU. Trot off to bed now, like a good boy. I'll keep you posted when the time comes.”
Shoving the protesting and leave-taking Barker with paternal familiarity from the room, he closed the door and faced Demorest.
“He's the best fellow in the world,” said Stacy quietly, “and has saved the situation; but we mustn't trust too much to him for the present—not even seem to.”