Still he hesitated, however; then he turned and picked up the sheet of paper, and began to read.
In order that you who read may understand the ingenuity of Carleton Lynne, and may realize how thoroughly he understood the character of the man with whom he had to deal, we will quote the opening paragraph of that document, for it was really that which spared his life and which saved the two million dollars that had been demanded of him.
“I, Mike McManus, known as Red Mike, late of the Klondike, former thief, road agent, and murdererâ€�—Red Mike read that far, and stopped, looking across the top of the paper at the apparently insensible form upon the floor, and scowling darkly.
Then he lowered the paper a trifle and shook his fist at the prostrate man.
“I’ll even up with you, all right, all right, when I get those two millions in my jeans, mister man,� he growled. “But I may as well read all the slush he’s got written down here while he’s unconscious;� and he read on again.
“Gambler, confidence man, and crook, agree herein over my signature that upon the condition that I receive two million dollars in cash from the hand of Carleton Lynne, to be paid to me at a time and place hereafter to be agreed upon, I will fulfill each and every condition and stipulation herein set forth by said Lynne as conditions precedent to the said payment of said sum as aforesaid, binding myself——â€�
Red Mike paused long enough to glance over the paper at Lynne, on the floor. Then he stooped and picked up the fallen chair, righted it, and seated himself upon it.
With yet another glance toward Lynne to assure himself that unconsciousness still prevailed, he raised the paper again, and continued the reading; and while he did so Lynne half opened his eyes, and sighed.
Mike looked up quickly.
“Coming around, eh?� he said, with a laugh.