"No, indeed. It's bad enough for me to be seen in your company," returned Mr. Aaron Woodward, with just a trace of his former lofty manner.
"No insinuations, please," was the ready reply. "My hands ain't any dirtier than yours."
"Well, well, let's stop quarrelling. Let me see the statement."
"Will you promise to hand it back if I do?"
"Why not let me have it?"
"Never mind why. Will you give it back?"
"If you insist on it, you shall have it back," was Mr. Woodward's final reply, seeing that he could gain nothing by parleying.
Stumpy drew forth the envelope. I anticipated what was coming.
"Here it is," he said, and handed it over, as he supposed.
"The envelope is empty," said Mr. Woodward.