“I should think we ain’t,” replied the latter.
“So I thought,” said the old fence, “and it’s in my power to make you rich.”
The boys were listening to subtle, dangerous words.
“How can you do that?” said Bob, growing interested.
“There are a number of ways that I might do it. In the first place, I could give both of you all the money you will ever need, and still be rich myself.”
“But a man isn’t likely to give away so much,” said Herbert.
“You must have a payin’ business,” observed the young detective.
“Of course I must, and that is the point I am coming at. You boys have shown yourselves keen lads, and I always like to help such boys along, for I was poor once myself. Now my proposition is this: I’ll give you both a show in the business here with me.”
“No, sir, thank you, we do not care to go into a dishonest business like this,” said Herbert, emphatically, speaking for both Bob and himself.
“Not if you could each make ten thousand a year, clean money?”