“Look here,” he cried, “I don’t like that kind of talk! I ain’t never run against der bloke wot could do me. An’ I’ll have der advantage of dis feller by takin’ him by surprise. Why, I’ll pulverize him before he can lift a finger!”
“I hope so.”
“How bad do you want him done?”
“I want him sent to the hospital. If you could manage to break a few of his ribs it would please me greatly. At any rate, I want him thumped so badly that he’ll have to keep under cover for four days. That’s all I ask.”
“It’s a snap! But w’en do I git der twenty-five? Dat has ter come down before I go inter de game.”
“I’ll pay you that to-night. I will meet you at ten o’clock at the west end of Barnsville Bridge and give you the money there. Is that satisfactory?”
Riley looked at Snodgrass sharply, as if a doubt had entered his mind, but he finally nodded, saying:
“Dat’s all right. I guess ye’re on der level, pal.”
“You needn’t worry about that. I want Merriwell done up, and I’m ready to pay. You’ll find me on hand with the other twenty-five at the same place the very night you jump him. It makes no difference to you just why I want him downed.”
“Not a blamed bit, pal! I’m out for der dough.”