“Yes, I have that much.”
“Can you get hold of that five hundred you left behind?”
“I suppose I can, but I don’t want it.”
“Oh, we shall need it, sooner or later, and you might as well make arrangements accordingly. That makes twelve or thirteen hundred dollars that we are sure of. Now I’ll tell you what we’ll do. We’ll go halves on that, and I will drop my old partner and take you in his place. What do you say?”
Oscar did not say anything immediately. His brother’s proposition was rather more than he had bargained for. This was the point Tom had been trying to reach ever since he found out that Oscar had money in his possession. The latter had seen it very plainly, and knew that the matter must at some time be thoroughly discussed, and Tom be given to understand that his offer of partnership could not be entertained. He knew, too, that there would be an explosion when the denouement came, and Tom learned how sadly he had been mistaken in regard to some things, and for this reason Oscar was anxious to put the critical moment off as long as he could.
CHAPTER X.
TOM LEARNS SOMETHING.
“What do you think of my plan, anyhow?” asked Tom. “Isn’t it glorious?”
“I would rather know what you think of it when you have heard my story, which I will begin as soon as you have finished yours,” answered Oscar. “You have not yet given me any idea of your business. Where’s your home?”
“Haven’t got any. Don’t need one.”
“How did you come up from Denver?”