“Five thousand dollars.”
“I’ll take a look at them as soon as I have time. You see, Mr. Perkins, I do all my real estate business through my friend, Mr. Mullins.”
“Just so.”
Neither Mr. Perkins nor Chester was taken in by Ralston’s assumption of the character of a capitalist. The Western man had already a shrewd suspicion of the gambler’s real business, and being a cautious and prudent man, did not care to cultivate him.
“Good-morning!” said Mr. Perkins. “I must not take up any more of your time. Will you allow Chester to go out with me for five minutes?”
“Certainly.”
David Mullins would have liked to refuse, but had no good excuse for doing so.
“Don’t stay long!” he said, rather sharply.
“I won’t keep him long.”
When they were in the street Mr. Perkins said: “I don’t like the looks of that bookkeeper of yours.”