“I’ll listen, Charlie,” he said, with a suggestion of a whine in his tone. “It ain’t pleasant to be called crazy, you know, but if you’ll stand by me I’ll make it worth your while.”
The young physician knew at once what he meant.
“None of that, Mr. Stone!” he said quickly. “I don’t want a cent of your money. I would not keep silent for the whole five hundred thousand they say you received for your half interest in the Condor. I’m making this offer simply for your own good. I really believe you’re not responsible for your recent actions, but I feel sure there isn’t much the matter with you. For that reason I want to shield you from the consequences if I can, and try to set you on the road to recovery. You and Crawford are going to New York soon, aren’t you?”
“That’s the plan—by the next boat,” was the sullen reply. “We figured it out before this came up, and of course I was anxious to get back home when I’d made my pile. I haven’t been back in twenty-five years. When this break came, though, I wasn’t keen on going back with Win. But he wouldn’t hear of anything else. I reckon he thinks the trip will give him a good chance to polish me off.”
“The plan still holds good, then?”
“Yes. I ain’t a coward, and if one of us doesn’t get the other before, then you won’t find me backing out.”
Young Floyd’s brows were knit, and he gazed absent-mindedly at the ground for some moments.
“Well,” he said at length, “it’s a big responsibility to take, and I don’t know that I ought to assume it, but there doesn’t seem to be anything else to do—short of giving you up.”
His eyes sought Stone’s and held them.
“Mr. Stone,” he continued, speaking slowly, “I need not repeat that I’m in a position to cause your arrest at any moment, and to give the most damaging testimony against you. I don’t want to do it, because of what I believe in regard to your condition, but you may be sure that I’ll do it at the drop of the hat if anything happens to Mr. Crawford or if you make any other attempt on his life. Now, remembering that, will you give me your solemn promise—will you swear, in fact—that you’ll have no other crime against you, and that when you reach New York you’ll do as I say?”