“We'll borrow without leave.”
“How'll we do it?”
“I'll tell you,” said Mike.
He proceeded to unfold his plan, which was briefly this. The two were to saunter up to where Paul was standing; and remain until the group, if there were any around him should be dispersed. Then one was to pull his hat over his eyes, while the other would snatch the basket containing his prize packages, and run down Liberty street, never stopping until he landed in a certain alley known to both boys. The other would run in a different direction, and both would meet as soon as practicable for the division of the spoils. It was yet so early that Paul could not have sold many from his stock. As each contained a prize, varying from one penny to ten, they would probably realize enough to buy a good breakfast, besides the candy contained in the packages. More money might be obtained by selling packages, but there was risk in this. Besides, it would take time, and they decided that a bird in the hand was worth two in the bush.
“That's a good idea,” said Jim, approvingly. “Who'll knock his hat over his head?”
“You can,” said Mike, “and I'll grab the basket.” But to this Jim demurred, for two reasons: first, he was rather afraid of Paul, whose strength of arm he had tested on a previous occasion; and, again, he was afraid that if Mike got off with the basket he would appropriate the lion's share.
“I'll grab the basket,” he said.
“What for?” said Mike, suspiciously, for he, too, felt some distrust of his confederate.
“You're stronger'n I am, Mike,” said Jim. “Maybe he'd turn on me, and I can't fight him as well as you.”
“That's so,” said Mike, who had rather a high idea of his own prowess, and felt pleased with the compliment. “I'm a match for him.”