"I think I understand you," answered Hallam, after a few minutes' reflection. "You shall have the tools. You have already put away two-thirds of your salary from month to month. I have to-day multiplied that salary by three. You'll soon have 'grub stakes' for any enterprise you may choose to enter upon. But that isn't all. If it were, it would mean that I am to lose you presently. I don't mean to do that. You are too good a man for a clerk. I propose to make of you a partner in all my outside enterprises. I must go now. I've five people to meet at ten o'clock. Come to me after that hour, if you're sufficiently rested, and we'll talk business."
"Oh, I'm sufficiently rested already. I'll join you at ten or a little later, as I suppose you won't be free till then."
Captain Will Hallam rose, grasped the hand of his companion, and, after a look into his eyes, said:
"You're the right sort. You have vim, force, pathos, and energy. You and I, working together, will salivate things in a way that will make Calomel ashamed of itself."
"But how about Kennedy and his discharge?" asked Duncan.
"Oh, that's settled. I've sent him his quittance papers, and he's your enemy for all time. You can stand that."
"Yes, so long as you are my friend."