Skip nodded his head, and again Billings shook his hand.
"That's what I call business. Let's have it."
The leader of the regulators was about to draw the dearly-earned document from his pocket when the proprietor of the place interfered.
"None of that," he said sharply. "There's somethin' goin' on what ain't straight, an' I won't have it in my shop."
"Do you mean to go back on a friend?" Billings asked in an injured tone.
"Not a bit of it; but the company are lookin' after you mighty sharp, Cale, an' I don't want to get in trouble. There's plenty room out of doors."
"All right, the shop belongs to you; but it may be the losin' of a good customer," and Billings walked out with Skip close at his heels.
"Now give me the paper."
When the document was delivered the man glanced at it to make sure it was the one wanted, and then said in a fatherly tone:
"I reckon you've fixed things to suit yourself if the new breaker boy was in the cuttin' when the roof fell."