Macnooder seemed to hesitate.
"It's idiotic to put up a real, high-life coat for a couple of jiggers."
"Hurry up; I'm hungry."
"Stop," said Al, drawing back satisfied. "I wouldn't bother about that coat if I were you."
"Why not?" exclaimed the two partners.
"'Cause I remember that coat gag now," said Al with a far-off look. "I bit once—way back in '89. It's a good game, specially when the real owner comes ramping in the next day."
"What do you mean?" said Doc Macnooder indignantly.
"I mean that it don't button, you young pirate," said Al scornfully, but without malice. "When you try anything as slick as that again you want to be sure the real owner ain't been around. That coat belongs to Lovely Mead."
Doc Macnooder looked at the Tennessee Shad.
"Have we really got to pay for them?" he said mournfully.