"Oh, for several reasons, Bill, several reasons," said Calthorpe pleasantly.
"You found out all you want to know about the asphalt lands long ago. When you goin' to chuck this job and go over and take what belongs to you?"
There was a pause while Calthorpe looked dreamily off into space.
"Well," he drawled slowly, "before leaving I'd like to turn a trick or two—make the agent show his hand."
The slang and the metaphor of the people about him came very easily to this alleged stranger.
"Ladd?" said Bill doubtfully, with a tone and inflection that expressed volumes for the danger and uselessness of such a proceeding.
"Wouldn't you like to see him put his cards on the table?" asked the boy. Bill's eyes twinkled and it was manifest that the suggestion was alluring.
"Sounds good. To rope David might be a pleasin' diversion as a form of entertainment; he's a skunk all right, but that ain't a-keepin' you here, Hal, my boy."
"No?"
"No."