“That is generous,” I observed.
“I think it just,” he replied, taking no notice of my smile. “Now listen,” he continued. “By Tuesday morning you will be able to collect on my life insurance. The proofs are complete. Yes, and genuine too. The doctor, the undertaker, the guides, all honestly believe I’m the corpse, and it does resemble me wonderfully. Lord, but I’ve sweated in working it out! By Tuesday, I say, those Insurance Companies will be satisfied, and they pay promptly, for the bigger the claim the better the advertisement. But if they delay, the fact of my death will tie up those devils who are trying to down me, for a few days at least. When you get the cash, pay it out under my directions and we’ll roast the whole gang of them and Josiah Bateman will return to life ten times a millionaire, for I tell you, Wainwright, this is the biggest thing you’ve ever been in!”
“It is unique in more respects than one,” I answered.
“It is simplicity itself. Only the details were difficult. Even getting here, disguised as I am, was not easy without attracting too much notice, and——”
“You might have saved yourself that trouble,” I interrupted.
“No, I had to see you to-night. To-morrow you would have probated that old Will instead of——”
“Writing out our resignations.”
“What do you mean?” he gasped.
“Am I not clear enough?”
“You don’t mean to say you won’t carry this thing through?”