“Come along!” said Croyden, leading the way toward the tent, which was pitched a trifle to one side.... “Now, sir, what is it?” as the flaps dropped behind them.
“You’ve a business way about you, which I like——” began Hook-nose.
“Never mind my ways!” Croyden interrupted. “Come to the point—what do you want?”
“There’s no false starts with you, my friend, are there!” laughed the other. “That’s the thing—bang! and we are off. Good!—we’ll get to business. You lost a letter recently——”
“Not at all,” Croyden cut in. “I had a letter stolen—you, I suppose, are the thief.”
“I, or my pal—it matters not which,” the fellow replied easily. “Now, what we want, is to make some arrangement as to the division of the treasure, when you’ve found it.” 162
“I thought as much!” said Croyden. “Well, let me tell you there won’t be any arrangement made with you, alone. You must get your pal here—I don’t agree with one. I agree with both or none.”
“Oh, very well, I’ll have him in, if you wish.”
Croyden bowed.
“I do wish,” he said.