“No. I never saw the Colonel before. My references are Eastern. My father——”
“As a gentleman the Colonel is O. K.,” he smoothly interrupted. “I do not question his integrity, nor your father’s. But we never advance money. It is against the policy of the house.” 99
“Has my trunk come up yet?” I queried.
“Yes, sir. If you’d rather have it in your room——”
“In my room!” said I. “No! Else it might walk out the hall window, too. You have it safe?”
“Perfectly, except in case of burglary or fire. It is out of the weather. We’re not responsible for theft or fire, you understand. Not in Benton.”
“Good Lord!” I ejaculated, weak. “You have my trunk, you say? Very good. Will you advance me twenty dollars and keep the trunk as security? That, I think, is a sporting proposition.”
He eyed me up and down.
“Are you a surveyor? Connected with the road?”
“No.”