“Didn't know the old chap had investments out here,” suggested the operator, lingering at his instrument.
“No more did I,” was the insufficient reply.
For some few moments nothing was heard but the click of the instrument, as the operator worked the key, with the usual appearance of imparting confidence to a somewhat reluctant hearer who preferred to talk himself. The two men stood by, watching his motions with the usual awe of the unprofessional. When he had finished, they laid before him two gold-pieces. As the operator took them up, he could not help saying,—
“The old man went off kinder sudden, didn't he? Had no time to write?”
“Not sudden for that kind o' man,” was the exasperating reply.
But the speaker was not to be disconcerted. “If there is an answer—” he began.
“There ain't any,” replied the first speaker quietly.
“Why?”
“Because the man ez sent the message is dead.”
“But it's signed by you two.”