"What I'm going to say is in perfect confidence, between friends;" chewing and crossing his legs.
Gad chewed, and crossed his legs, and said, "O, of course! in perfect confidence!"
"Wal, then, I'll tell ye whar the money fur our job comes from. It comes from Gus Bythewood."
"Sho!" said Gad, looking surprised at Silas.
"Fact!" said Silas, looking wise at Gad.
"But what's he so dead set agin' the master fur?"
"I'll tell ye, Gad." And Mr. Ropes rested a finger confidingly on his friend's knee. "Fur as I kin jedge, Gus has a sneakin' notion arter that youngest Villars gal; Virginny, ye know."
"Don't blame him!" chuckled Gad.
"But ye see, thar's that Hapgood; he's a great favoryte with the Villarses, and Gus nat'rally wants to git him out of the way. It won't do, though, for him to have it known he has any thing to do with our operations. He pays us, and backs us up with plenty of cash if we get into trouble; but he keeps dark, you understand."
"The master ought to be hung for his abolitionism!" said Gad, by way of self-excuse for being made a jealous man's tool.