“Now the idea, gents, is this,” he intoned. “I’m goin’ to tear a dollar bill in ten pieces, then roll ’em up in this here handkerchief, and in a second—blooey! The dollar bill is whole an’ entire and in as excellent a condition as before the demonstration—that means trick, Gus. Now watch me closely.”
He reached in his pocket. The punchers leaned forward eagerly.
“What’s the matter, Nick—forget how to do it?” Pop asked after a moment.
“Can’t find a bill,” Nick answered shortly. “Thought sure I had one. Any of you birds got a dollar he’ll lend me for a minute?”
“What! To tear up?” Rad Sell demanded. “Not me! Think I’m crazy?”
“It’s only a trick, you galoot!” Nick exclaimed disgustedly. “You’ll get your bill back, don’t worry about that. Think I want to keep it?”
“Wouldn’t be surprised,” Pop Burns said, in a matter-of-fact, calm voice. “I’ve known stranger things to happen.”
Teddy nudged Roy, and they both grinned. This might prove interesting.
“Well, come on, come on!” Nick shouted impatiently. “If you guys want to see the trick—an’ it’s a mighty good one, too—you got to get me a bill. Come on, fork over! Don’t be so tight! I won’t hurt your old bill.”
“Maybe none of ’em ain’t got one, Nick,” suggested Pop mildly. “Me, I ain’t.”