"Heavens, yes—a month ago I was working for a hundred and twenty-five per, and no immediate prospects—and I would have been there yet, unless railroaded to prison as a goat for this crowd that you have——"
"No more of that, Hiram," I interrupted, raising my hand in protest—"let us talk of our immediate movements—the way matters stand now. You are so near out of the woods you can easily see the clearing, but there is more work getting through the underbrush—where there may be some snakes or other reptiles—but that ought not to worry you. Everything comes to those who hustle while they wait."
"But you have done the most——"
"Never mind now who has done the most—we can talk of that later. The way the case now stands, we have been to the butcher, the baker and the grocer for the goods to provide a sumptuous meal for Becker and his crowd, and perhaps we have the cook, but to make 'em eat will require just a little more time and strategy. As far as your being clear of implication, every one knows it now—it remains only to make it a matter of record.
"My plan for the next move may take a week or more, but doesn't require your presence, and as long as you are compelled to go anyhow, make a virtue of the necessity. Get away for Gulfport as soon as possible and—temper your anxiety and impatience by making money. Fifteen hundred a trip—two trips a week—is not so bad, is it?" I asked, smiling, as I saw a shade of old-time exuberance creeping about his mouth. He had followed my review with rising spirits. It may be that the great piece of ham and the half dozen eggs and steaming coffee set before him helped a little.