“Then I’ll go and see a lawyer.”
“Even if you succeeded, and got the boy in possession, do you think he would give you any more than I?”
This was a consideration which had not occurred to the tramp. He asked himself, moreover, did he really wish Tony to come into such a piece of good fortune, after the boy had been instrumental in having him arrested. No, anything but that! “I’ll tell you what I’ll do, ma’am,” he said. “I’ll say eight hundred dollars down, and the same every year.”
To this sum Mrs. Middleton finally agreed.
You say you know where the boy is?” she asked.
Yes, ma’am.”
“Then there need be no delay.”
“Only a little. But I shall want some money.”
Mrs. Middleton took out her purse.
Here are a hundred dollars,” she said. “The rest shall be paid you when you have earned it.”