"Yes, I flatter myself I am," returned the other composedly. "When I take anything, at any rate I have the sense to take something worth carrying away—not a worthless rock like this. You must have had a fine time lugging it from the mines."
"It nearly broke my back," said the thief gloomily.
"And now you don't know what to do with it? Take my advice, my friend, and carry it back to the original owner. He may find it handy another time."
"I'll be blessed if I do," growled the unhappy thief.
"I doubt that," said his companion dryly. "However, do as you please. It don't interest me. I don't think on the whole I will accept your offer of a partnership. When I take a partner I want a man with some small supply of brains."
The first looked at him resentfully. He did not like these taunts, and would have assaulted him had he dared, but the new-comer was powerfully built, and evidently an unsafe man to take liberties with. He threw himself back on the pallet and groaned.
"Well," said the second after a pause, "when you've got through crying over spilt milk, will you kindly tell me where I can get something to eat?"
"I don't know."
"Humph! that's short and to the point. It is something I would like very much to know, for my part. I feel decidedly hungry."
"I have no appetite," said the luckless thief mournfully.