“I tell you I’ve got to have that money tonight!” snarled Tom Adams. “I owe a guy a hundred bucks, and I need the rest myself.”
“I can’t pay it all now,” whined Frazier. “I just haven’t got it. I can let you have three hundred and the rest when the job is finished.”
“Oh, yeah? Well, the job ain’t a-goin’ a be finished till you cough up! All the dough.”
Frazier’s tone became more whining. “Business isn’t any too good——”
“What would it have been without me to help?” retorted the younger man. “Did I—or did I not put money in your pocket?”
“Oh, sure you did. And I’m willing to pay you for it.”
There was silence for a moment, while Mary Louise waited breathlessly. She could not see the men’s faces, but she had no difficulty in following their conversation. She heard the rattling of paper money and knew that Frazier must be paying Tom something.
“Want a receipt?” demanded Tom presently.
“Good Lord, no!” cried the other. “Nothing in writing, Tom. It might be used against us. Guess I can trust you.”
“We’ve got to trust each other,” sneered the younger man. “That’s why I say you have no right to hold out on me. I’m doin’ the dirty work.”