Again that cunning leer came into the dissipated face of the bartender, and he said quickly:
"You can trust me, if you pay me enough for it."
"A bribed man is usually the first to betray," said Nick.
"Not if the bribe is big enough, Carter."
"Do you mean to say that I can trust you to go down into the saloon and to come back here presently and tell me exactly what the situation is?"
"You can, if you pay me enough. I told you that before."
"It isn't the question of pay, Phil; that is, the amount of pay. I would be willing to give you almost anything if I thought you would perform exactly what I want done, and return to me with the information I desire, without saying or doing anything to betray my presence here."
"Well, I'm your huckleberry, if you want me to do it. All you've got to do on your part is to cough up the dough."
The detective, who always went well supplied with funds, took a roll of bills from his pocket, and slowly counted out one hundred dollars, which, without a word, he handed to the bartender.
"I am going to take you at your word, Phil," he said slowly, "and that is the first installment only of what I shall give you if you perform the service well and thoroughly, and do exactly as I instruct you to do, no more, and no less."