What would be the outcome of the man’s visit for him? Alex asked himself. For the newcomer would not fail to appreciate the disadvantage of having been seen there by the young employee of the M. W.
The young operator was not left long in doubt. The door again opened, and the stranger re-entered, followed by the cowman, and without preliminary placed a chair before Alex and dropped into it.
“Look here, my boy,” he began, “how would you like to earn some extra money—a good decent sum?”
At once seeing the man’s intention, Alex bridled indignantly. But suppressing his feelings, he responded, “I’d like to as well as anyone else, I suppose—if I can earn it honorably.”
At the last word a flush mounted to the stranger’s cheeks, but he continued. “Well, that’s all a matter of opinion, you know. Every man has his own particular code of honor. However—
“You probably have guessed who I am?”
“A K. & Z. man.”
“Yes. Now look here: Suppose the K. & Z. was anxious to know from day to day the precise progress the Middle Western is making in this race for Yellow Creek, and suppose they were willing to pay a hundred dollars a month for the information—would that proposition interest you?”
Alex replied promptly, “No, sir. And anyway, it’s not the information you want. It’s my silence.”
The man’s face darkened. He had one more card to play, however.