"About ten pounds."
"Then Barlow wants to cheat me out of about $375 and intends to furnish me with a poor outfit into the bargain," said Oscar. "That money might as well stay in my pocket as to go into his."
"Better—much better!" the editor hastened to reply. "Now, if you will excuse me for a while, I will get through with my morning's work, and then we will go and see that wagon. Come in again in an hour, and you will find me quite at your service."
Oscar left the editorial sanctum and went out on the street. He easily found his way back to the hotel, and there he saw Colonel Dunhaven and his servant, surrounded by the same cattle-dealers he had seen in their company the day before.
The swindlers were determined that their prey should not escape them. As he ascended the steps the Englishman and his servant went into the parlor.
"Hello, there!" cried a voice. "Are you ready to keep your promise now?"
Oscar looked up and saw Barlow approaching.
"I have been looking for you all the morning," he said. "Where have you been?"
Oscar was not aware that that was any of Barlow's business, so he made no reply.
"Are you ready to keep your promise now?" repeated the cattle-dealer.