“My dear fellow, there was no pretense about that. We selected this wood as well adapted for our purpose, and, as I was not familiar with the locality, I thought it best for all reasons to hire you to guide me.”
“So I have walked into a trap, and lost my time in the bargain,” said Harry, bitterly.
“Oh, no; you haven’t lost your time. I agreed to pay you fifty cents, didn’t I?”
“Yes.”
“Well, here it is. I generally fulfil my contracts.”
Congreve drew from his pocket two silver quarters, and handed them to Harry with a bow.
“That’s right, isn’t it?” he asked.
“Yes,” said Harry, mentally deciding that James Congreve was the queerest fellow he had ever met.
“Good! You can’t complain of any violation of contract. Now, will you remain quiet while I tie you, or must we use force?”
“Wait a minute!” said Harry, deciding to try the effect of an appeal to Congreve, who appeared to have some sense of honor. “I think you don’t understand what passed between Philip and myself. Let me explain.”