“'It's like this,' I said, 'Tavor's down and out. He's got only six months to live. Fifth Avenue piled full of gold won't do him any good if he's got to wait for it. What he wants is a little money quick!'
“Old Nute's eyes squinted.
“'How much money?' he said.
“'Well,' I said, 'Tavor will turn his map over to you for ten thousand dollars... Death's crowding him.'
“Old Nute's fat fingers began to drum on his waistcoat.
“'How do I know the gold's there and the map's straight?'
“'Did you ever know Tavor to lie?' I said.
“'No,' he said, 'Tavor's not a liar; but I am a business man, Mr. Barclay, and in business we do not go on verbal assurances, no matter how unquestioned.'
“'That's right,' I replied, 'I'm a business man, too; that's why I came instead of sending Tavor.... you found out he wasn't a business man in the first deal.'
“Then I took my 'shooting irons' out of my pocket and laid them on the table.