“I’m going to keep that girl from her father, and then I am one of the trustees of the money, and if he does not change that part I shall be all right for ready cash as soon as he shuffles off, but I spoke my mind the night he made the new will, and there is no telling what he will do, only that his hands now are useless.”
“Then you care for the funds?” began the broker.
“Yes, until this girl puts in an appearance.”
“Don’t let her appear,” said the other.
“That’s just what I say,” went on Benson laughingly. “I know that I can put her somewhere that she won’t bother me. Now, old man, will you help me, and I’ll see that you are well paid?”
Just at this moment a young fellow with the air of a sailor came in.
“Are you the chump what runs this place?” asked he, going up to the pawnbroker, “for if you are I want to pawn this suit of clothes. They are bran’ new, and ought to give me a little ready cash.”
“I’ll look at them when I get through with this gentleman,” and the broker turned disdainfully away.
Then the two, Tom Cooper and Benson, recognized each other.