“You are mistaken, young man. If you don’t want to go into the business here yourselves, I’ll give you an interest in it, if you will do nothing to injure it. You see, you know about the business here now, and if you should give it away to the police, why it would hurt it, don’t you understand?”
“Yes, we understand it too well, but do not want an interest in it,” said Herbert.
“It would pay you well,” persisted the old fence; “say about seven to ten thousand dollars each every year, and you needn’t come anear it—just take your dividends every week, and that’s all.”
“Well, we don’t want no such dividends,” said Bob; “nor we couldn’t get ’em if we did want ’em, that’s all.”
“You are mistaken again, for if you think the business don’t pay as well as I say, why I can show you the money.”
“Got it with you?” said Bob.
This question pleased the old fence, and gave him renewed courage. He thought now that perhaps there was yet hope for him.
“I have it in the house,” said he.
“In cash?”
“Yes, and I can get it if you want to see it.”