“That’s just what I do expect. Don’t tell me you have grown virtuous, Gibbon. The tiger doesn’t lose his spots or the leopard his stripes. I tell you there’s a fine chance for us both. I’ll divide with you, if you’ll help me.”
“But I’ve gone out of the business,” protested Gibbon.
“I haven’t. Come, old boy, I can’t let any sentimental scruples interfere with so good a stroke of business.”
“I won’t help you!” said Gibbon, angrily. “You only want to get me into trouble.”
“You won’t help me?” said Stark, with slow deliberation.
“No, I can’t honorably. Can’t you let me alone?”
“Sorry to say, I can’t. If I was rich, I might; but as it is, it is quite necessary for me to raise some money somewhere. By all accounts, Jennings is rich, and can spare a small part of his accumulations for a good fellow that’s out of luck.”
“You’d better give up the idea. It’s quite impossible.”
“Is it?” asked Stark, with a wicked look. “Then do you know what I will do?”
“What will you do?” asked Gibbon, nervously.